INDIANA, Pa. – Lauren Goetz collected seven of the Crimson Hawks 22 base hits but it wasn't enough as they dropped both ends of a division-opening doubleheader to Mansfield Tuesday afternoon at Ruth Podbielski Field. The Mountaineers won by scores of 5-4 and 9-2.
 
Goetz finished 7-7, drove in two runs and scored one of her own while also swiping three bases.
 
She was one of five Crimson Hawks with multiple hits, including Renee Wall who went 4-7 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Rachel Rodriguez and Jenna Rhue each had three hits and Kassie Kesneck had two.
 
The Crimson Hawks fell to 4-17-1 overall with the losses.
 
Game one
The Crimson Hawks struck first with an RBI single by Goetz in the third inning. Mansfield (9-7, 3-1) came back with four runs on four hits in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead.
 
Wall smashed a solo homer in the fourth and IUP added another run in the fifth on another RBI single by Goetz, making it a 4-3 ballgame.
 
Mansfield added a much needed run on a 2-out error in the sixth. IUP threatened in the bottom of the seventh, as Goetz, Brooklyn Kotula and Rhue all reached to load the bases with two outs. Wall drew a walk to force in a run and make it a 5-4 game but Mansfield forced an infield popup for the third out to clinch the win.
 
Game two
After an RBI single by Wall in the first inning, Mansfield scored once in the second and five more in the third to take a 6-1 lead.
 
The Mountaineers went on to score in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, with IUP scoring once more on an RBI single by Rodriguez late in the game.
 
Up next
It's a quick turnaround for the Crimson Hawks, who head to Clarion for two Wednesday. They'll continue with divisional play this weekend with games at Lock Haven Friday and home with Bloomsburg Saturday.
 
Follow
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