INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP softball team returned home to Podbielski Field for the first time in over a month, falling 7-4 in the opening game of the scheduled doubleheader against California (Pa.). With rain and darkness closing in, the second game of the day was halted just before the start of the fifth.
The teams will reconvene to finish the game up at a later date and time, not determined as of release. California (Pa.) is leading the second game, 8-5.
In game one, the Vulcans (7-6, 5-0) used three runs in both the fifth and seventh innings to take control. IUP (15-8, 1-2) answered back with two runs in the home half of the seventh, unable to muster enough offense late.
Kelly Szolek and
Delaney Patella posted two hits apiece for IUP, while
Jordan Sylvia cracked a solo homer to left in the fourth inning. In the circle,
Kendall Young went 4.1 innings before giving way to reliever
Amanda Fischer.
Carlee Rister tossed a complete game in the circle, firing over 140 pitches on the day for the Vulcans.
Groundouts from
Madison Pikula and
Tess Smiley each brought home runners in the bottom of the seventh.
In the halted second game, the Vulcans racked up five runs in the fourth inning following an error-plagued stretch for the Crimson Hawks in soggy conditions. Pikula has two of IUP's seven hits in the second game.
Up Next
IUP is back home on Thursday, March 28 for a rescheduled doubleheader with Mercyhurst. First pitch from Podbielski Field is slated for 2:00 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.
