INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP baseball team has made history throughout the season in a long journey back to relevance. The Crimson Hawks continued that trend in a big way with an exciting 7-4 win over Seton Hill in the final game of the 2024 NCAA DII Super Regional series, advancing to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
IUP (38-16) kept Seton Hill (41-17) off the board over the final five innings of the game as
Bryce Devan whirled 3.2 innings of stellar relief.
Elijah Dunn delivered the go-ahead double in the sixth inning, pushing the Hawks ahead for good at 5-4.
The win followed the script of so may for IUP this season, battling back in front after falling behind. Preaching belief in the process, third-year head coach
Steve Kline's squad did not give in trailing 4-3.
Dunn's double made it 5-4 and
Brady Yard provided some insurance with a hit through the left side in the next trip to the plate. The Hawks tacked on one more run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from
Peyton Johnson for the final 7-4 margin.
Harrison Pontoli posted three hits from the leadoff spot, scoring twice at the top of the IUP order. Johnson added three more hits, while Dunn played a big role after entering as a pinch runner with two hits and two runs scored.
It was part of a big tournament for Johnson, who came up clutch at the plate in games one and three.
Jake Black dealt 5.1 innings on the mound for IUP with four punchouts. He was tagged for four runs on eight hits, giving way to Devan. Devan showcased his plus-velocity, allowing just one Seton Hill hit over the final 3.2 innings. He struck out the side to finish out the ninth inning, highlighting a lockdown effort for the Hawks.
"I'd be lying if I said the nerves weren't there," Devan said after the victory. "Just came out there and tried to slow the game down, focusing on each pitch."
Up Next
IUP continues an outstanding season at the 2024 NCAA DII College World Series, beginning June 1 in North Carolina.
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