INDIANA, Pa. –
Renee Wall (Topton, PA/Brandywine Heights) hit a walk-off double in an 8-6 IUP softball victory over Pitt-Johnstown in game two, as the Crimson Hawks finished off a doubleheader sweep to clinch a conference postseason berth Thursday at Podbielski Field.
The Crimson Hawks won game one by a score of 7-1, improving to 18-12 overall and 10-6 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division after the full day of play.
Lauren Zola (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle) picked up both wins in the circle, including a complete game performance in the opener. In a combined 8.1 innings of work, she gave up three earned runs on four hits, walking five and striking out eight. She improved to 10-6 on the season.
The double by Wall was one of eight on the afternoon for the Crimson Hawks. Leadoff hitter
Kassie Kesneck (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston) belted three, going 5-for-8 with five runs scored in the doubleheader. Four of her five hits went for extra bases as she also had a triple on the afternoon.
Wall and
Kaitlyn Beers (Reynoldsville, Pa./DuBois Area High School) each had two doubles and
Lauren Goetz (Cleveland, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) added another.
Alaina Montgomery (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) went 2-for-5 with three runs batted in, driving in a pair on an RBI single that gave IUP a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning of game two.
Pitt-Johnstown (10-22, 5-11 PSAC Central) made it a 5-4 game in the sixth and took a 6-5 lead in the seventh with a double that scored two.
After an out to start the bottom of the seventh,
Brooklyn Kotula (Ambridge, Pa./Ambridge) drew a walk, Kesneck singled, and Montgomery walked to load the bases. After a grounder that got Kotula out at home, Wall cleared the bases with her game-winner to center.
The win also clinched the fifth doubleheader sweep in the last six for the Crimson Hawks, as they have a 10-2 record (8-2 PSAC) since April 14.
IUP in the PSAC tournament
The Crimson Hawks clinched the program's 18th all-time appearance in the PSAC tournament, including their fifth straight since 2014. With Lock Haven having already clinched the top seed from the PSAC Central with a 16-0 divisional record, IUP is currently second at 10-6 and Bloomsburg is third at 8-8. Mansfield, which is also in the hunt, is fourth at 6-10. The top three teams in each of the PSAC's three divisions earn spots in the tournament.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks face Bloomsburg (16-19, 8-8) Friday afternoon at Podbielski Field. First pitch is 2:30 p.m.
Follow
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoftball.
