INDIANA, Pa. - The IUP softball team hit four homers and totaled eight extra base hits as the Crimson Hawks split a doubleheader with Pitt-Johnstown at Podbielski Field Friday afternoon.
The Crimson Hawks rallied to win the opener 9-6 and lost the nightcap by a score of 9-5.
IUP ended the day with a record of 11-9 overall and sits in fourth place in the PSAC West with a 10-8 division record. Pitt-Johnstown is now 5-15 overall and eighth in the division at 5-13.
Standout performances
Gr.
Kaitlyn Beers: 3-4, run, double, inside-the-park home run, three RBI, stolen base in game one
Soph.
Faith Jones: 2-2, three runs, home run, four RBI, stolen base in game one
Sr.
Renee Wall: 3-3, three runs, double, RBI in game one
Soph.
Margret Russo: 2-3, three runs, double, home run, RBI in game two
Soph.
Haleigh Zimmerman: 2-4, run, double, home run, two RBI in game two
Game one
IUP scored in the first inning but Pitt-Johnstown put up runs in both the second and third to take a 5-1 lead.
The Crimson Hawks answered in a big way in the bottom of the third, getting back-to-back home runs from
Faith Jones and
Kaitlyn Beers. Moving into the third spot in the order, Jones hit her first career homer, a two-run shot over the fence in left. A few pitches later, Beers went deep to dead center, legging out a four-bagger as the ball bounced off the fence and back onto the field away from UPJ outfielders.
IUP tied the game in the fifth on a
Renee Wall sacrifice fly, and went on top 6-5 with a RBI flyout from
Haleigh Zimmerman. With the game tied at 6-6 in the sixth, Jones drove in another run with a blooping single down the right field line before Beers drove in two runs with a single of her own.
Amanda Fischer picked up the win (5-2) in relief, striking out two and giving up two hits and one earned run in five innings of work.
Game two
The Mountain Cats scored early and often, taking a 7-0 lead heading to the bottom of the third.
Margret Russo scored IUP's first run, using her speed to steal home after the catcher's throw back to the pitcher. Russo then smashed a solo homer in the fifth, the first of her career, to make it a 7-2 game.
Zimmerman homered in the sixth, and in the seventh drove in another run on a double.
Hope Jones also had an RBI single in the final inning as IUP's late comeback fell four runs short.
Up next
These two teams match up again Saturday with a doubleheader in Johnstown. First pitch is 1 p.m.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
