JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Pitchers
Lauren Zola (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle) and
Brooke Darling (Springville, Pa./Elk Lake) led the way for the Crimson Hawks, giving up just one combined run as IUP swept Friday's doubleheader at Pitt-Johnstown to clinch a spot in the conference tournament.
The Crimson Hawks won game one by a score of 5-1 before posting a 2-0 victory in eight innings in the nightcap. They improved to 25-17 overall and 10-8 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division, good for third place.
These two teams entered Friday with just one game between them, with IUP at 8-8 and Pitt-Johnstown at 7-9 in the division. The Crimson Hawks are now three games up on both UPJ and Mansfield heading into the final two games of the regular season on Saturday.
Zola struck out four batters and gave up just two hits and one earned run in the complete game 5-1 opening victory. It was her 11th complete game in 18 starts this season as she improved to 11-8 overall.
UPJ's only run came on a home run in the fourth inning, but IUP countered that with two of their own –
Allison Viguers (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) with a leadoff shot in the sixth and
Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) with a solo dinger in the seventh. Viguers homer was part of a three-run inning as
Rachel Francis (Jefferson, Ohio/Jefferson) and
Mackenna Miller (Milton, Pa. /Milton) each drove in runs.
Darling went the full eight in the extra inning shutout, striking out seven while scattering six hits to improve to 12-6 on the season. It was her 12th complete game and sixth shutout in 20 starts.
The Crimson Hawks stranded 10 runners heading into the eighth inning and weren't able to capitalize on their eight hits to that point. In the final inning, IUP quickly loaded the bases before taking advantage on an infield throwing error, with
Lauren Goetz (Cleveland, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) and
Megan Gould (New Germany, Pa./Forest Hills) both coming around to score.
Darling then shut UPJ down in order in the bottom half to clinch the win.
The Crimson Hawks will close out the regular season on Saturday as they celebrate Senior Day against Mansfield.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_Softball.
