SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The IUP baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader with Slippery Rock Friday, falling by scores of 7-5 and 9-2 at Critchfield Park. 

Although the games came between divisional rivals, it was scheduled as a non-conference doubleheader and won't be counted in the PSAC standings. The Crimson Hawks fell to 1-3 overall while The Rock improved to 4-1. 

Key performances
Soph. Harrison Pontoli: 2-7, double, two RBI
Sr. Nick Hess: 2-3, two doubles, RBI in game two
Sr. Ben Teplin: 1-3, run, RBI, stolen base in game one

Game one
It was a low-scoring affair early, with Slippery Rock leading 1-0 through four innings. The Crimson Hawks took the lead in the top of the fifth, with Pontoli brought two in on an RBI single, but SRU regained the lead in the bottom half with a two-run homer.

Austin Mueller came around in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3, and then IUP jumped back on top 5-3 later in the evening with the help of a wild pitch and an RBI single by Markus Cestra. The Rock then scored four times on three hits and two walks in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead, holding on for the 7-5 win.

Game two
Chris Eisel homered in the first inning to give IUP a quick 1-0 lead, but The Rock countered with two runs in the bottom half. Trailing 6-1 in the fifth, Hess doubled home a run before SRU added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth to clinch the sweep. 

Up next
The Crimson Hawks return home for a non-conference doubleheader against Frostburg State Saturday afternoon. First pitch at Dougherty Field is set for noon.

Follow
For coverage of the IUP baseball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPBaseball and online at IUPAthletics.com.