GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The IUP softball team had a successful Sunday, winning three games against schools from the Mountain East Conference (MEC) on Sunday at the Sue Morris Complex Classic.
IUP (7-1) opened the day with a 7-6 win against host Glenville State, posting a 3-2 victory in the afternoon against West Virginia Wesleyn. IUP closed the day In style with an 8-0 run-rule victory against West Virginia State in five innings.
Game One: IUP 7, Glenville State 6
IUP racked up five runs in its first trip to the plate and got enough run support late, holding on for a 7-6 victory to start a loaded slate against Glenville State. Despite playing at Glenville State's facility, IUP served as the "home" team for the game and got another strong relief outing from
Kendall Young.
Madeline Miller had two hits for IUP, one of five Hawks with a hit in the morning matchup. Rand,
Jordan Sylvia and
Maddie Griffin finished with a pair of RBI apiece for the IUP offense. In the circle, Young rounded out the final four innings, allowing two runs on two hits with three strikeouts.
Young earned her fourth victory of the season with the efficient relief outing, that included a one-two-three seventh inning. Becoming a theme this season, the Crimson Hawks pushed across multiple runs in the early going.
Already down 2-0 before stepping to the plate, the Crimson Hawks wasted little time regaining the advantage. With one out, IUP got consecutive baserunners on via error before
Delaney Patella walked to load the bases.
Jordan Sylvia tied the game with a double, plating
Jaycee Haidze and
Maddie Griffin.
Reagan Rand cracked a two-run double of her own as the next batter, pushing the IUP margin to 4-2 in the first. Miller registered IUP's third extra-base hit of the opening frame, this time smacking a ball inside the left field line for a 5-2 edge that chased Glenville State starter Caitlyn Kass.
Miller's double provided to be the final run-producing hit of the contest as the Crimson Hawks tacked on their final two runs in the sixth on an error. The Pioneers launched home runs in the third and fifth innings, both two-run shots, to regain the advantage at 6-5.
After the GSU home run, Young retired the final seven Pioneer batters of the game in order. Griffin reached on an error for IUP in the sixth, scoring
Madison Pikula and
Tess Smiley for the 7-6 lead.
Game Two: IUP 3, West Virginia Wesleyan 2
Elizabeth Kasper continued the strong pitching for IUP in an error-ridden second game of the day, going the distance for her sixth career complete game in the win. Posting three strikeouts in the 89-pitch outing, Kasper came up with some clutch outs late, none bigger than the final of the game in bottom of the seventh with a full count and the game-tying runner in scoring position.
IUP broke the scoreless tie in the third as
Jess Cekada reached on an error, plating Patella for a 1-0 lead. Patella worked a patient approach, drawing another walk before swiping second and coming around for the game's first run.
WVWC leveled the game at one with a single in the fourth inning before IUP answered back in the top half of the sixth. Two more Wesleyan errors set the able for IUP in the sixth, putting the leadoff runners on. Patella, who scored two of IUP's three runs in the game, raced home on an error by the catcher for a 2-1 lead. Cekada slapped a double through the right side in the next at-bat, plating Sylvia for a key insurance run and a 3-1 margin.
The Bobcats trimmed the deficit back within 3-2 in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring on a passed ball. Kasper shut the door for IUP in the seventh, getting a final popup back to the circle as IUP moved to 6-1 on the season.
Game Three: IUP 8, West Virginia State 0 (5 Innings)
The Crimson Hawks rolled to a run-rule victory to finish out the day against West Virginia State.
Maddie Griffin nitched three hits Pikula scored three runs in an impressive triumph.
Amanda Fischer allowed just two hits in five innings of work in the circle, registering three strikeouts.
IUP moved ahead 1-0 on a double-play ball for a 1-0 lead in the first. The Crimson Hawks kepttheir foot on the gas pedal in the third inning, racking up four runs to take control.
Run-scoring singles from
Madison Pikula and Haidze handed IUP a 3-0 cushion. Sylvia broke the game open with a double to left center, smacking a 3-1 pitch and scoring Haidze and Griffin as part of a big inning.
IUP continued being aggressive, forcing a throwing error in the top of the fourth for a 7-0 lead as Pikula and Griffin cruised home on the miscue. IUP continued taking advantage of the defensive miscues for an 8-0 edge.
Up Next
IUP is back in action on Saturday, March 2 with a doubleheader at Shepherd. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
