ERIE, Pa. - It was an unlucky Saturday for the IUP baseball team, as the Crimson Hawks dropped a pair of one-run games - both in the final inning - to Gannon by scores of 3-2 and 5-4.

In the day's opener, the Crimson Hawks grabbed a 2-0 lead through two. Harrison Pontoli opened the scoring in the first by coming around on a passed ball and Colin Williams smashed a solo homer run in the second. 

Gannon tied things up at 2-2 in the fourth and then with one out in the bottom of the seventh, got a walk-off double to score the winning run from second base.

IUP again grabbed the lead in game two as Pontoli crossed the plate in the first inning after a throwing error on a ground ball. The Golden Knights scored twice in the bottom half but the Crimson Hawks tied the game at 2-2 on a Markus Cestra RBI groundout. 

After Gannon took a 4-2 lead with two runs in the fourth, the Crimson Hawks again tied the score when Austin Mueller ripped a RBI single to right, scoring Pontoli and Christian Gabriel. 

Once again in the bottom of the seventh and with runners at first and second, a stolen base attempt at third forced an errant IUP throw, scoring the game-winning run. 

Pontoli went 4-6 on the afternoon with three runs, a double, triple, and stolen base. Five IUP relievers combined to scatter six hits and strike out seven batters in 7.0 innings of work. 

Up next
The Crimson Hawks host Wheeling in a single 9-inning non-conference game Tuesday at Dougherty Field. First pitch is 2 p.m.

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