CLERMONT, Fla. –
Brooke Darling (Springville, PA/Elk Lake) threw a complete game shutout against Northwood to help the IUP softball team to a 3-0 win, splitting a pair of games on Tuesday. The Crimson Hawks also lost to St. Cloud State 11-1 later in the day.
Darling went the entire seven innings, scattering four hits and striking out one in the victory. IUP also picked up four total hits in the low-scoring affair, getting one each from
Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center),
Allison Viguers (West Chester/West Chester East),
Rachel Francis (Jefferson, OH/Jefferson) and
Laura Cotter (Wexford, PA/North Allegheny).
The Crimson Hawks picked up their first run in the top of the second inning, as Cotter doubled to right center to bring around Viguers. Another run came across the board in the fourth, as the inning started out with Viguers drawing a walk.
Taylor Barna (Easton, Pa./Easton Area High School ) pinch ran, moving to second on a bunt single by Francis.
Mackenna Miller (Milton, Pa. /Milton) drew another walk to load the bases, and with two outs in the inning, Barna took advantage of a wild pitch and scored from third.
IUP added an insurance run in the seventh on a
Hannah Mercer (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg Area) sac fly to right field, scoring
Taylor Mercurio (Pittsburgh/Seton-La Salle) from third.
St. Cloud State dominated in the later game, scoring three times in the first five innings to take a 6-1 lead into the sixth. IUP picked up its lone run in the fifth, with Francis scoring from third on a fielders choice. The Huskies then exploded for five runs in the seventh, putting the 10-run game out of reach for IUP.
Viguers had two of IUP's five hits in game two, both doubles that didn't result in any runs scored. Mercurio, Francis and
Bryanna Lonick (Burgettstown/Burgettstown) each added singles.
Now 5-3 on their spring break trip, the Crimson Hawks face Nyack and West Liberty tomorrow morning.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_Softball.