INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP softball team looks to carry its momentum into a big weekend series against PSAC West-leading Seton Hill this weekend. The Crimson Hawks host the first two games of the series starting at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at Podbielski Field, and travel to Greensburg for Saturday's afternoon doubleheader. 

The Crimson Hawks are coming off a 3-1 series win over Mercyhurst and enter the weekend third in the division with an 8-4 record. The Griffins are 9-1 in divisional play after their four-game weekend sweep of Pitt-Johnstown and a doubleheader split with Edinboro on Tuesday.
 
Spectators
IUP Athletics is allowing spectators at outdoor events this spring. Any fans visiting Ruth Podbielski Field are asked to keep socially distant from each other, participating teams, student-athletes, school officials and other game day personnel. When not able to socially distant, please wear masks.

Seton Hill Athletics is allowing spectators at spring sporting events. Guidelines include wearing of masks, social distancing, and no tailgating. Please review the policy here.
 
Last Time Out
>> The Crimson Hawks took three of four from Mercyhurst last weekend, including two rallies in a doubleheader sweep Sunday afternoon. 
>> After losing the opener of the series 3-2, IUP won three straight by scores of 11-8, 12-8 and 6-5. 

Follow/Social Media
Live Stats (IUP): IUPstats.com
Live Video (IUP): IUP Softball Facebook
Live Stats (SHU): Athletics.SetonHill.edu
Live Audio (SHU): WestmorelandSports.com
Twitter: @IUPsoftball
Instagram: @iupsoftball
 
Series notes
>> These are the first games with these two teams as divisional opponents since 2015. The PSAC had an East-Central-West alignment from 2016-2019 and did not have a conference season in 2020 due to the pandemic.
>> IUP and Seton Hill last played in 2019, splitting a doubleheader in Greensburg. 

Matchup notes
>> The Griffins enter the weekend with the best statistical pitching staff in the league, leading the PSAC with a 1.75 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 108.0 innings pitched. Seton Hill has given up three or fewer runs in 13 of its 16 games.
>> IUP is among the PSAC leaders with a .322 batting average and .483 slugging percentage. The Hawks are averaging over 7runs scored per game and have five outings of 9-plus runs.

Kaitlyn Beers named PSAC West Athlete of the Week
>> Gr. Kaitlyn Beers was named PSAC West Athlete of the Week Monday after hitting .600 (9-15) with a 1.067 slugging percentage and .611 on-base percentage against Mercyhurst.
>> She scored 7 runs, had 4 doubles and a home run, drove in 7 runs, and had 4 stolen bases
>> Beers scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning of the game four 6-5 victory.

Beers having career season
>> Beers leads the Crimson Hawks in batting average (.444), runs (14), hits (20), doubles (5), home runs (5), RBI (15), slugging (.889) and stolen bases (4). 
>> She has six multi-hit games, including four games of 3 hits. She's also on a four-game hit streak. 
>> She recently moved into a three-way tie for fifth in IUP history with 22 career home runs. She's also third with 36 doubles, seventh with 100 RBI, 9th with a .552 slugging percentage, and 11th with a .332 batting average.
>> Beers was recently moved from second base to center field, where she started all four games at Mercyhurst. She had started at second base since her freshman year in 2017.
>> She was named PSAC Central Freshman of the Year in 2017 and PSAC Central Athlete of the Year in 2018. She's a three-time first team All-PSAC selection.

Rodriguez off to a hot start
>> Senior Rachel Rodriguez missed the first two games due to injury, but has been on a hot streak since returning.
>> The outfielder is second on the team with a .424 batting average and has reached safely in a team-best 10 straight games entering this weekend.
>> She has five multi-hit games and recently ended a team-high nine-game hit streak.

Wall getting on base ... by any means necessary
>> Senior Renee Wall has been hit by 7 pitches this year, which leads the PSAC and is tied for 13th in Division II. 
>> Wall is among the PSAC leaders with a .551 on-base percentage, batting .417 while drawing 5 walks to go along with her 7 HBPs. 
>> Wall also has a team-best 10-game reached base streak going entering the weekend. 

Having Hope
>> Sophomore pitcher Hope Jones is second in the PSAC with 48 strikeouts this year. She owns a 3-1 record and 4.38 ERA in 6 appearanes (5 starts).
>> With 32.0 innings pitched, she ranks 18th in Division II with 10.5 strikeouts per 7 innings. 
>> Jones had a career-high 12 strikeouts in back-to-back outings vs. Cal U.