INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP softball team (29-23, 15-17) begins play in the 2024 PSAC Championships in Quakertown on Wednesday, May 1. The Crimson Hawks begin the tournament against Shippensburg (31-17, 18-14) at 10:00 a.m.
The double-elimination tournament consists of 10 teams - five from each division - and is scheduled for May 1-4.
IUP clinched the final playoff spot in the PSAC West on the final day of the regular season, splitting with Seton Hill. The Crimson Hawks earned the No. 5 seed in the PSAC West, while Shippensburg enters as the No. 4 seed in the PSAC East.
TICKET/ADMISSION INFORMATION
Tickets Available Online –
Hudl Tickets
Wednesday, May 1 - Saturday, May 4, 2024
Championship Admission Fees (Day Passes Only): Buyer pays ticket fees
Day Pass (Wed/Thurs): $15 | Day Pass (Fri/Sat): $10
Children 12 and Under: Free
Free admission for students from member institutions with valid I.D
No Complimentary Tickets
PSAC Passes Honored
Tickets can only be purchased via Hudl Tickets. This will be a cashless event. All Sales Final. NO REFUNDS FOR RAINOUTS.
It is advised to purchase tickets the night before or day of, after reviewing the weather forecast.
THE BRACKET
>> The IUP-Shippensburg winner advances to face West No. 1 Gannon later in the day at 3:00 p.m.
>> The losing team will face an elimination game later in the day, playing the loser of Game Five.
>> Odd number games will be contested on Field 2 with even number games played on Field 4 at the Veterans Park complex.
IUP POSTSEASON HISTORY
>> The Hawks are two-time conference champions, winning it in back-to-back years - 2011 and 2012.
>> This is IUP's 20th all-time PSAC tournament dating back to 1996. The Hawks made eight appearances between 2010-18.
>> The Crimson Hawks are making the program's first PSAC tournament appearance since 2022.
SERIES NOTES
>> IUP and Shippensburg are meeting for the 19th time since the 2011 season.
>> The teams played three times in 2022, with the Crimson Hawks picking up a pair of victories in those meetings.
>> IUP and Shippensburg met in the PSAC Tournament consecutively in 2017 and 2018, with the Red Raiders claiming both meetings.
IUP OFFENSE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
>> IUP has rewritten the record books offensively in 2024, setting single season program records in nearly every major statistical category.
>> The Hawks finish the regular season ranked third in the PSAC and 23rd nationally in batting average (.334).
>> IUP ranks 12th in the nation in doubles (95) and 19th in triples (19) with a well-rounded lineup.
>> The Hawks also work a patent approach at the plate, ranking eighth nationally with 196 walks as a team.
>> The entire starting lineup boasts at least 30 hits on the season for IUP.
LEADING OFF
>> IUP leadoff hitter
Madison Pikula has set program records for single season hits (80), at-bats (185) and runs scored (60) in 2024.
>> Pikula ranks ninth in NCAA DII and leads the PSAC with 80 hits on the season. She finished out the regular season on a high note, collecting five hits against Seton Hill while pushing her total to 100 in her collegiate career as a sophomore.
>> Pikula's .432 batting average ranks fifth in the PSAC.
>> She has registered 25 multi-hit games this season.
PACKING A PUNCH
>> The power duo of
Jordan Sylvia and
Jaycee Haidze provide IUP with some pop in the middle of the lineup. Sylvia owns the program record for RBI in a season (56), with Haidze following closely behind (52).
>> The duo join Megan McCormick as the only three players in program history with 50+ RBI in a season for the Crimson Hawks.
>> Sylvia's 56 RBI rank second in the PSAC, surpassing 100 career hits and 100 career RBI as a junior in 2024.
>> Haidze's 17 doubles are second in program history and rank third in the PSAC.
>> Together, the duo has combined for over 100 RBI and 16 home runs. Only Camryn Murphy and Grace Peredes (Seton Hill) have combined to drive in more runs as a tandem.
I'LL TAKE A WALK
>>
Delaney Patella owns the school's career walks record (78) in just her sophomore season.
>> The 2023 PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Patella has replicated her high level of production in 2024. She leads the PSAC in on-base percentage (.549) and ranks fourth in the league in slugging percentage (.702).
>> Patella has nine homers on the season and had stretch of 30 consecutive games where she reached base safely.
>>
Paige Truax is second on the team with 23 base on balls this season. She boasts a .407 average and 61 total knocks as a top-caliber outfielder defensively.
IN THE CIRCLE
>> IUP has relief on first-year starter
Kendall Young this season in the circle.
>> A two-time PSAC West Pitcher of the Week on march 18 and April 29, Young leads the PSAC with five shutouts in 2024.
>> She's surpassed 100 strikeouts this season, entering the tournament with a 15 inning scoreless streak. Young tossed her first collegiate no-hitter last week against Pitt-Johnstown.
>>
Elizabeth Kasper (5-5, 4.79 ERA, 49K) and
Olivia Hillegas (3-2, 42 K) have also seen time in the circle this season in a starting capacity.
>> Behind the dish,
Kelly Szolek has stepped in as the team's primary catcher since returning from The Spring Games in Florida.
RECORD BOOK WATCH
At-Bats (Season)
1. 185 – Madison Pikula (2024)
2. 179 – Angela Hileman (2000)
3. 178 – Hannah Mercer (2014)
4. 177 – Marissa Leslie (2010)
5. 170 – Hannah Mercer (2016)
Runs Scored (Season)
1. 60 – Madison Pikula (2024)
2. 51 – Delaney Patella (2024)
3. 45 – Jasa Mitchell (2014)
T4. 42 – Monica Iachini (2010);
Paige Truax (2024)
6. 41 – Hannah Mercer (2014)
Hits (Season)
1. 80 – Madison Pikula (2024)
2. 67 – Megan McCormick (2010)
3. 64 – Monica Iachini (2010)
4. 62 – Marissa Leslie (2010)
5. 61 – Hannah Mercer (2016);
Paige Truax (2024)
Doubles (Season)
1. 21 – Megan McCormick (2010)
2. 17 – Jayvee Haidze (2024)
3. 16 – Stefanie McCoy (2014); Hannah Mercer (2016)
5. 14 – Megan McCormick (2011)
Triples (Season)
1. 8 – Kim Schoemaker (1992)
2. 7 – Kim Shoemaker (1993)
3. 5 – Sharon Brickell (1989); Marissa Leslie (2010);
Tess Smiley (2024)
RBI (Season)
1. 56 – Jordan Sylvia (2024)
2. 53 – Megan McCormick (2011)
3. 52 – Jaycee Haidze (2024)
4. 50 – Megan McCormick (2010)
5. 43 – Marissa Dugan (2000); Kelsey Ferguson (2010)
Walks (Season)
1. 47 –
Delaney Patella (2024)
2. 31 –
Delaney Patella (2023)
3. 26 – Renee Wall (2019)
4. 24 – Monica Iachini (2012); Mary Ward (2011)
At-Bats (Team Season)
1. 1,476 – 2024
2. 1,448 – 2010
3. 1,365 – 2014
4. 1,340 – 2000
5. 1,325 – 2023
Runs (Team Season)
1. 372 – 2024
2. 298 – 2010
3. 270 – 2011; 270 – 2014
5. 241 – 2014
Hits (Team Season)
1. 493 – 2024
2. 488 – 2010
3. 392 – 2001
4. 385 – 2000
5. 384 – 2014
Runs Batted In (Team Season)
1. 331 – 2024
2. 272 – 2010
3. 241 – 2011
4. 236 – 2014
214 – 2015
Doubles (Team Season)
1. 95 – 2024
2. 91 – 2010
3. 79 – 2019
4. 73 – 2011; 73 – 2014
Triples (Season)
1. 18 – 1999; 18 – 2004
3. 17 – 2024
4. 16 – 1992
5. 14 – 2005
Home Runs (Season)
1. 47 – 2014
2. 36 – 2010
3. 33 – 2015
4. 31 – 2024
5. 29 – 2011
Total Bases (Season)
1. 715 – 2024
2. 709 – 2010
3. 614 – 2014
4. 568 – 2015
5. 543 – 2011
Batting Average (Season)
1. .337 – 2010
2. .334 – 2024
3. .321 – 2015
4. .316 – 2002
5. .306 – 2011
Slugging Percentage (Season)
1. .490 – 2010
2. .484 – 2024
3. .477 – 2015
4. .464 – 2021
5. .450 – 2014
Walks (Season)
1. 196 – 2024
2. 141 – 2011; 141 – 2023
4. 139 – 2012
5. 136 – 2014
