SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Despite giving up just 11 hits over nearly 16 innings, the Crimson Hawks couldn't muster much offense as they dropped a pair of non-divisional softball games at Shippensburg on Wednesday afternoon. The Raiders won by scores of 2-1 and 6-5 in 10 innings.
The Crimson Hawks fell to 19-15 overall, but their Central Division standings were effected, remaining one game behind second place Lock Haven with a 6-6 record. Shippensburg improved to 14-21 overall.
Freshman
Lauren Zola (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle) tossed a complete game in the opener, tying a season-high with nine strikeouts while giving up three hits and two earned runs in six innings. Shippensburg's only runs came on a two-run homer in the first inning to give the Raiders an early lead.
Zola shut down Shippensburg the rest of the way, including three 1-2-3 innings.
IUP scored its run in the fifth, getting a leadoff double to center from
Mackenna Miller (Milton, Pa. /Milton).
Lauren Goetz (Cleveland, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) followed in the order, as she laid down a perfect bunt that found its way between the pitcher and the first baseman as she reached while Miller scored from second.
In game two, both teams scored early, tying the matchup at 1-1 after the second inning. IUP took a 3-1 lead in the fifth with an RBI double from
Hannah Mercer (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) and a run-scoring single off the bat of
Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center).
The Raiders tied it up in a seventh inning highlighted by a solo homer, sending the game to extras at 3-3.
IUP got on top again in the 10th, plating two in the top half with the help of a Shippensburg error to go along with a sacrifice fly by Fairman. However, Shippensburg won it in the bottom half, scoring runs on an RBI single, sac fly, and a wild pitch.
Mercer finished with three of IUP's 10 total hits on the day, going 3-for-8 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored. Fairman added two hits and drove in two runs.
The Crimson Hawks get back to divisional play on Friday with a home doubleheader against Clarion.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_Softball.
