JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The IUP baseball program got two more strong starting pitching efforts and used some early offense in a doubleheader sweep of Gannon on Friday afternoon at a brisk Point Stadium in Johnstown.
IUP (9-4, 2-0) came way with a 4-3 win in 14 innings to start the day, finishing out the sweep with a 9-6 triumph. Gannon slips to 2-13 and 0-2 in the division, getting back within three during the nightcap.
Au'sean Owens was stellar at the plate for the Crimson Hawks, going 6-for-8 with two runs scored.
Harrison Pontoli, who drew the game-winning walk in the opener, finished the day with five RBI.
Game One: IUP 4, Gannon 3 (14 Innings)
Neither side could break the deadlock at three well into extra innings in the opening game during a stretch of six consecutive scoreless innings.
Mark Edeburn whirled eight strong innings to begin the day for IUP on the mound, getting a tough-luck no decision. He allowed three runs on five hits over 93 total pitches. With two strikeouts, Edeburn surpassed 150 for his career in his 39th career appearance.
Edeburn chewed up eight total innings on the day, bringing his career total to 199.1,now seventh in program history. Edeburn set the table for two more strong pitching efforts in relief, coming from
Jimmy Tooley and
Dane Samartino.
Tooley and Samartino combined for six innings of scoreless relief, Tooley reached 100 career strikeouts with his lone punch out of the day, while Samartino picked up the win and moved to 3-0 on the young season.
Owens went 4-6 on the day at the plate, leading the charge in a 10-hit opening game for the Hawks. Pontoli drove in two in the opening inning, plating Owen's and
Peyton Johnson for a 3-0 margin.
The Knights worked the score tied in the seventh on a fielder's choice that scored Brendan Karolyn. In the 14th, Pontoli worked a patient approach, drawing a walk with the bases loaded that scored
Davin Landers for the victory.
Landers caught both games on Friday, behind the dish for 21 innings.
Game Two: IUP 9, Gannon 6
Plating five runs in the first, IUP got six innings of work on the mound from
Derrick Shields. Aponte recorded two hits, two RBI and a run for the Hawks near the top of the order. Pontoli added another knock, two RBI and two runs.
The Hawks used another strong opening inning, zipping ahead 5-0.
Brady Yard launched a double to left center, scoring two for a 3-0 lead.
Gannon chipped the deficit back to 6-4 before IUP took control for good in the sixth. Pontoli's double scored Owens and
Zach Miller for an 8-4 edge.
Ricardo Aponte, who doubled and tripled in the second game, gave the Hawks enough cushion at 9-4.
Derrick Shields fanned six over 6.1 innings, earning his first win of the season.
Casen Sandri finished out the game, working around a walk and finishing out the sweep for the Hawks.
Up Next
The Hawks and Golden Knights finish out their four-game divisional on Sunday, March 24 in Erie. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at McConnell Family Stadium.
Follow
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