JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The IUP softball team saved the best for last, clinching a conference tournament berth in the final game of the regular season with a 6-1 victory over Pitt-Johnstown Saturday night on the road.

IUP entered the day needing to win just once in Saturday's doubleheader in Johnstown. UPJ took the opener with a score of 4-1. 

The Crimson Hawks will make their first PSAC tournament appearance since 2018. They head into the postseason with a 16-19 overall record and as the fifth seed in the division with an 8-8 league mark. 

Game one
IUP opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a Haleigh Zimmerman sacrifice fly, scoring Jenna Rhue from third. The Mountain Cats then took all the momentum in the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits in the inning to go up 4-1. The Hawks were then set down 1-2-3 in the seventh. 

Starter Bella Bucy scattered four hits in the first five innings before UPJ got hot in the sixth.

Game two
Joelle Snyder put the Hawks on the board first, reaching on an error to lead off the before stealing second base. Jordan Sylvia then singled up the middle to bring Snyder around for the first run.

IUP was held scoreless for the next three innings before putting together a huge fifth inning. With two outs, IUP loaded the bases with singles from Sara Tailford, Jordan Sylvia and Renee Wall. An error then led to two runs before a single from Megan Fitzgerald scored a third run to make it a 4-0 game. Paige Truax followed with a single and then Jacey Henderson brought home Rhue and Fitzgerald to put the Hawks up 6-0. 

IUP pitcher Amanda Fischer was on it from start to finish, tossing a complete game three-hitter to earn the win. She struck out a season-high five batters and gave up a single run in the sixth inning. 

Sylvia went 3-for-3 with an RBI and Truax went 2-for-3. 

Up next
The PSAC tournament begins Wednesday, May 4 in Quakertown, Pa. The Hawks will play PSAC East No. 4 seed Shepherd at 10 a.m. on the opening day. The winner advances to play West No. 1 Cal U while the loser falls to the loser's bracket. 

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