INDIANA, Pa. –
Austin Mock (State College, Pa./State College) earned two saves and IUP batters totaled nine extra base hits as the Crimson Hawks swept Penn State Greater Allegheny in a non-conference baseball doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Dougherty Field.
Mock's first save came in an 8-7 opening game victory, as he broke a tie with Bill Roush (1983-86) for IUP's all-time record. He then earned his 14th career save in the Crimson Hawks' 6-4 game two victory. He struck out three batters and didn't give up a run in one combined inning pitched.
Mock also finished the day 4-for-7 at the plate with three doubles, two RBI and three runs scored.
The Crimson Hawks improved to 15-16-1 overall on the season with the two victories and have won four of their last six games.
IUP got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning of game one with the help of a two-run triple off the bat of
Rick Jones (New Castle/Laurel). PSU Greater Allegheny came back with a run in the third and six more in the fourth to jump on top by a score of 7-3.
The Crimson Hawks led off the fifth with singles by Mock,
Ryan Uhl (St. Marys, Pa./St. Marys) and
Wes Carson (Woodstock, Md./Marriots Ridge), which loaded the bases for
Jonathan O'Neill (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley), who singled through the left side, scoring two. Back-to-back walks forced another run in to make it a 7-6 game and a sacrifice fly by
Hunter Bigler (Washington/Trinity) scored O'Neill and tied the game at 7-7.
Mock then came to the plate again and forced another bases loaded walk, scoring Jones and putting IUP on top 8-7.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Mock came to the mound from right field and with a runner on second base, got the last to strikeout looking to get the win.
Greater Allegheny took a 3-0 lead in the third inning of game two before the Crimson Hawks used three straight doubles from Mock, Uhl and
Scott Hess (Erie/Erie Cathedral Prep) to score three runs and tie the score.
IUP took a 4-3 lead in the fifth on an RBI single by
Tyler Mroz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley), but Greater Allegheny tied the game in the top of the sixth on a run-scoring single of its own. Beatty led off the bottom half with a double and scored on a single through the right side by Jones. A double to right by Mock two batters later scored Jones, giving IUP a 6-4 lead.
Mock came in to pitch with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half, getting the final two batters to strikeout looking to get his second save and give the Crimson Hawks the sweep.
The Crimson Hawks (15-16-1, 9-10-1 PSAC West) have a big four-game set with division-leading Mercyhurst this weekend as they battle with California (Pa.) (11-9 PSAC West) and Slippery Rock (10-10) for playoff positioning. IUP will be in Erie on Friday for a doubleheader and will host the Lakers on Saturday.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk.
