INDIANA, Pa. –
Scott Hess (Erie, Pa./Erie Cathedral Prep) and
Cory Wheeler (Butler, Pa./Butler) each doubled three times to help an IUP offense that scored 18 runs in a doubleheader split with visiting Lock Haven on Tuesday afternoon at Dougherty Field.
IUP took the opener with a comeback 16-9 win while Lock Haven won game two by a score of 3-2.
Those six doubles were part of 10 extra base hits by the Crimson Hawks as they improved their overall record to 14-17 after this non-divisional twinbill. Lock Haven is now 14-15.
Seven of those 10 extra base hits came in the opener, with the top three hitters in the IUP lineup – Wheeler, Hess and
Dan Sepic (York, Pa./Central York) - going a combined 7-for-13 with six doubles, five RBI and seven runs scored.
The Crimson Hawks won the game with a huge sixth inning, scoring 13 runs and rallying from a six-run deficit to take a 16-9 lead into the seventh.
Colin Claus (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny), who had entered in the fifth inning in relief, shut down Lock Haven in the final inning to earn the win. Claus struck out four batters and gave up two hits and one earned run during his three innings of work.
IUP totaled 10 hits in the sixth inning, including nine with two outs.
Rick Jones (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) drove in three runs during the inning while Sepic, Wheeler and
Chris Schaedel (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) each had two RBI.
Pitching for both teams stepped up in game two, with a combined five runs and 13 hits allowed.
All of the scoring came in the fifth inning, as Lock Haven plated three on two hits. Christin McClure entered in relief with no outs and the bases loaded, giving up those two hits and stranding two runners on base.
IUP did all of its damage in the bottom half with two outs, with back-to-back doubles from Wheeler and Hess helping the Crimson Hawks score two runs. Wheeler's double followed a Schaedel walk and they would both score on Hess' two-bagger.
The Crimson Hawks got their leadoff runner to second in the seventh inning, but couldn't capitalize in dropping the one-run ballgame.
A combined six IUP pitchers struck out 11 batters and gave up four earned runs in the doubleheader.
The Crimson Hawks get back to PSAC West play this weekend with a four-game set against Seton Hill (22-9, 8-4 PSAC West). Action begins on Friday in Greensburg.
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP baseball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPbaseball.
