WILLIAMSTON, N.C. – Despite a strong showing from several hitters in the day's second game, IUP dropped a pair of contests to Bloomsburg and Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday afternoon in Williamston, N.C.
The games were the second and third for the Crimson Hawks in their four-game southern set to start the season, falling to Bloomsburg 17-0 in seven inning and to UPJ 15-9 in nine frames. IUP fell to 1-2 to start the year.
Hunter Bigler (Washington/Trinity),
Chris Calliari (Brockway/Brockway) and
Ted DeSanti (Erie/Erie Cathedral Prep) each had three hits against UPJ, with Calliari and DeSanti each driving in a run, as well.
Rick Jones (New Castle/Laurel) went 2-for-5 with two RBI and scored twice while
Matt Eperesi (Cranberry Twp./Mars) hit his first career home run and drove in a pair.
The Crimson Hawks totaled 14 hits in Saturday's second game, and held onto a 5-5 tie with UPJ through five and a half innings. The Mountain Cats then scored in each of their next three frames, including four runs in the eighth, to clinch a six-run victory.
Bigler and
Wes Carson (Woodstock, Md./Marriots Ridge) each collected two hits against Bloomsburg, with IUP totaling seven in the day's opener.
The Crimson Hawks finish their North Carolina trip on Sunday with nine-inning game against defending PSAC champion Millersville. First pitch is at 12 p.m.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP baseball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPbaseball.
