PEMBROKE, N.C. - The Crimson Hawks scored two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings but the deficit was too great as the IUP baseball team dropped its 2022 season opener at UNC Pembroke 9-5 on Friday afternoon. 

The game was the first of the Steve Kline era, a former Major League pitcher and coach who came to IUP last fall. 

How it happened
Pembroke got on the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the opening frame off IUP starter Mark Edeburn. A groundout by Torrey Roper in the second brought the Hawks' first run across but the Braves added another in the bottom to go on top 3-1. 

Pembroke went on top 7-1 with runs in the fifth and sixth before IUP could put a rally together. Roper was responsible for the Hawks' two runs in the seventh, first with an RBI double and then scoring from third on a passed ball. Nick Hess followed in the seventh with a RBI double and then came home after a balk. 

Unfortunately for the Hawks, Pembroke added a run in both of those innings and IUP could only muster one hit in the ninth to end the comeback attempt.

Pembroke finished with 14 hits on the day and struck out 11 IUP batters. The Hawks had nine hits.

At the plate
Markus Cestra: 3-for-5, run, double
Nick Hess: 2-for-5, run, double, RBI
Colton Burd: 2-for-3, double, run
Torrey Roper: 1-for-2, double, RBI

On the mound
Mark Edeburn: L (0-1), 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 5 K

Up next
The Crimson Hawks wrap up their three-game season-opening series with UNC Pembroke with a doubleheader on Saturday. Originally the series included three nine inning games over three days, but Sunday's game has been pushed up one day. First pitch on Saturday is noon. 

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