JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – In a pair of well-pitched games, the IUP offense came up on the short end of a doubleheader setback to Pitt-Johnstown. The Mountain Cats claimed wins of 2-0 and 2-1, salvaging a series split with the Crimson Hawks on Saturday.
IUP drops to 28-12 overall and 16-8 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Crimson Hawks dropped to third place in the PSAC West, now one game back from Seton Hill and Mercyhurst in the divisional standings.
Despite the sweep, IUP clinched a PSAC Tournament berth after other results from around the league went final.
Game One: Pitt-Johnstown 2, IUP 0
A wild pitch and run-scoring single were the only blemishes for
Jake Black in an otherwise strong starting outing on the mound. Tossing six innings, Black scattered four hits in the setback.
IUP mustered four hits on the day, two coming from
Brady Yard.
Elijah Dunn and
Davin Landers added one knock each for the Hawks.
Devon Boyles raced home on a wild pitch in the fourth, breaking a scoreless tie. The Mountain Cats doubled their advantage two batters later on a single from Zachary Ramach.
Game Two: Pitt-Johnstown 2, IUP 1
With another eerily similar stat line for both teams in game two, UPJ drew a walk-off walk to secure a series split in the nightcap.
Nathan Mankoski allowed one hit and one run through 5.2 innings, firing five strikeouts.
Mankoski walked four before
Dane Samartino entered in relief. The Crimson Hawks opened the scoring of the game two pitcher's duel with an RBI single to left.
UPJ knotted the score in the home half of the sixth before Joey Maun drew the game-winning walk the next inning.
Up Next
IUP closes the regular season with a four-game series against Mercyhurst, beginning Thursday, May 2 in Erie.
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