CLERMONT, Fla. – The Indiana University of Pennsylvania softball program notched a shutout for the second time in its last four games in a 4-0 win over St. Thomas Aquinas but could not hold onto the momentum as it lost 8-7 to Felician immediately afterwards.
 
Bella Bucy shut down the Spartans' offense with the bend-not-break mentality of nine hits and a walk surrendered but zero runs scored to go along with a season-high three strikeouts. The junior from Jefferson Hills also helped her cause at the dish as she went 2-for-3 with a double against STAC pitching.
 
Delaney Patella had the biggest and most powerful swing of the day, smashing her first career long ball for a three-run shot to break a 4-4 tie in the sixth versus Felician that unfortunately the Crimson Hawks would relinquish. She began the day with a 1-for-3 showing and scoring in the opener.
 
Sara Tailford was a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs scored plus a triple against St. Thomas Aquinas then singling then stealing once in the nightcap.
 
Lexi Dawson had a base knock in each contest, one on which being a two-RBI double on top of drawing a pair of walks.
 
Faith Jones accounted for two of the four runs in the first game courtesy of a safety squeeze and an RBI single while Alyssa Schmidt had a 2-for-3 outing with a free pass and a stolen base as well as scoring twice in her lone appearance on the day opposite the Golden Falcons.
 
Amanda Fischer only gave up two runs that would affect her ERA, but she gave up three extra runs as the defense had an off day with four errors in the field.
 
Another off day for the women from Indiana awaits on Wednesday then Saint Michael's (1:30 p.m.) and New Haven (3:45 p.m.) will be the opponents on Thursday afternoon.
 
Follow the softball program on Facebook (IUP Softball), Twitter (@IUPsoftball), and Instagram (@iupsoftball)