INDIANA, Pa. - Kaitlyn Beers broke the IUP softball program's all-time home run record with her 29th career long ball during the Crimson Hawks' Monday doubleheader split with Millersville at Podbielski Field.
Beers' home run came during IUP's game two comeback that ultimately fell short in an 8-7 loss. The Crimson Hawks won the opening game 8-0 in a run rule shortened five inning game.
Her record breaking homer came one day after tying the record of 28 at Edinboro. Beers surpassed the former record held by Sarah White (2003-06) and
Jasa Mitchell (2012-14). With 12 homers this year, she now has her sights set on the single season record of 15 held by Mitchell (2014).
The Crimson Hawks ended the day with a 17-11 overall record. Millersville is now 18-14.
Standout performances
Gr.
Kaitlyn Beers: 1-3, run, solo home run (record) in game two
Sr.
Renee Wall: 3-6, two runs, double, grand slam, four RBI
Soph.
Haleigh Zimmerman: 2-3, two runs, double, five RBI in game one
Soph.
Hope Jones: CG W (6-4), 5.0 IP, eight strikeouts, one hit, four walks in game one
Soph.
Margret Russo: 1-2, run, home run, two RBI
Fr.
Jacey Henderson: 3-6, run, three doubles, two RBI
Game one
Hope Jones tossed a one-hitter and
Jacey Henderson ended the game in the fifth with a two-run double. Jones fanned eight Millersville batters and kept the PSAC's leading home run hitting team inside the ballpark.
IUP tallied three in the first with RBI singles from
Haleigh Zimmerman and
Jenna Rhue. Two more runs came across in the fifth after a throwing error and before the Hawks went up 6-0 in the fifth on an RBI double from Zimmerman. Two batters later Henderson smashed a ball to right center to score Zimmerman and Rhue, giving IUP the eight run lead and the quick win.
Game two
Millersville got the bats going early, scoring three in the fist and four more in the second to take a 7-0 lead. The in the bottom of the second,
Renee Wall closed the gap with just one swing, smashing a grand slam over the fence in left center.
The homers kept coming for the Crimson Hawks, as Beers made it 7-5 with her record breaking solo shot in the fifth. Millersville added a much needed insurance run in the sixth, but again IUP closed the gap with
Margret Russo going yard in the bottom half. Her homer was a two-run shot, making it an 8-7 ballgame.
IUP put two runners with one out in the seventh, but two flyouts ended the comeback bid.
Up next
The Crimson Hawks are back to divisional ball this weekend with a four-game set against Gannon. IUP plays in Erie Friday and returns for two in Indiana on Saturday.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
