CLARION, Pa. – 13 different Crimson Hawks collected hits with IUP gave up just two combined runs in a doubleheader softball divisional sweep at Clarion on Friday afternoon. Both were mercy rule, five-inning victories for IUP, winning 17-2 and 9-0.
It was the second straight doubleheader sweep for the Crimson Hawks, who improved to 15-9 overall and 3-3 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division. Clarion fell to 3-16 and 1-5.
Seven IUP players had multi-hit afternoons, including a 4-for-7 day by
Taylor Mercurio (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle). Mercurio also scored three runs and had two stolen bases.
Rachel Francis (Jefferson, Ohio/Jefferson),
Allison Viguers (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) and
Hannah Mercer (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) each tallied three hits apiece, while Mercer,
Bryanna Lonick (Burgettstown, Pa./Burgettstown) and
Lauren Goetz (Cleveland, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) had three RBIs each.
Lauren Zola (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle) picked up the win in the circle in game one, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out six in four innings.
Brooke Darling (Springville, Pa./Elk Lake) gave up just two hits in game two, striking out four batters in four strong innings.
Amanda Spindler (Brownsburg, Ind./Cathedral) and
Megan Risinger (Creekside, Pa./Marion Center) each tossed an inning in relief on Friday, giving up a combined three hits and no runs.
In game one, both teams scored a pair of runs in the first inning. IUP then scored three in the third, four in the fourth, and did most of its damage in the fifth by plating eight runs.
The Crimson Hawks also had a big inning in game two, putting six on the board in the third inning to take an 8-0 lead before tacking on one more in the fourth.
IUP will look to extend that winning streak with a scheduled doubleheader on Saturday at Mansfield.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_Softball.
