INDIANA, Pa. – Playing its way through the loser's bracket within one game of the national championship, IUP ran out of steam in a 7-3 loss Angelo State in a rematch on Friday afternoon at the NCAA DII College World Series.
It was the fourth game in as many days for a weary IUP squad, which set a school record for wins (41) and games played (59). IUP made a generational run in its first NCAA DII World Series appearance in program history, eliminating top seed Central Missouri and top-five ranked Point Loma. It came after the first Super Regional appearance and championship in school history and first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1990.
The Crimson Hawks defeated Angelo State, the defending national champions, on Thursday to set up a rematch with the Rams in the double-elimination tournament. IUP outhit Angelo State (44-20) for the game but dealt with some erratic pitching and aggressive base running from the Rams.
IUP issued eight walks, hit five batters and committed three errors in a long day against a quality opponent. Angelo State returns to the national championship for a second straight season, this time against second-seeded Tampa.
Zach Miller smacked a two-run home run in the ninth as a pinch hitter as IUP emptied the bench. With his 40th career double in the ninth,
Harrison Pontoli surpassed Hall of Famer Paul Bingham. It was the 224th hit of Pontoli's storied career, good for third all time and a fitting punctuation for the fifth-year standout. He also ended one walk shy of the program's career record (111) with a free pass on Friday.
Brady Yard and
David Kessler posted two hits each for the Hawks.
Without starter
Nathan Mankoski available (injury), IUP rolled with a three-man starting rotation in the NCAA Super Regionals and DII World Series. Playing for a fourth straight day, the Crimson Hawks were forced to piece together pitching from a relatively inexperienced bullpen.
Sebastian Rosado-Guindin got the start in a bullpen game for the Crimson Hawks. With his first inning punchout, the IUP pitching staff set a new program record for strikeouts in a season (334).
Angelo State posted four runs on one hit in the second inning. ASU notched the first two runs of the game and loaded the bases without leaving the infield.
A throwing error began a rocky inning for IUP in the second, followed by a hit by pitch and well-placed bunt. Two walks brought home the first runs of the contest before ASU tacked on two more runs with an error and sacrifice fly.
Dealing with some erratic pitching, the Crimson Hawks fell behind 5-0 after a bases loaded walk in the third.
Ricardo Aponte led off the fourth with a long single as IUP looked to regain some momentum. Two batters later, Yard cashed in with a single through the left side, bringing the Hawks back within 5-1.
Outhitting Angelo State 5-1 through five innings, IUP looked to manufacture some offense in the fifth. With runners on the corners, Jonny Stacy worked out of the jam in relief for Angelo State.
Dane Samartino battled through two innings of relief before
Casen Sandri entered to pitch with two outs in the fifth.
Dealing with some tough breaks offensively, the Hawks drive two balls to the outfield in the sixth.
Robert Carfagno drilled a ball to the right center gap that was scooped up with a diving grab from Weston Valasek. Angelo State capitalized in the home half of the sixth with a Tripp Clark home run, traveling 374 feet over the wall in right, for a 7-1 margin.
IUP had a pair of leadoff hits in the seventh off the bats of
Davin Landers and
David Kessler, unable to drive a run home.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP baseball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPBaseball and online at IUPathletics.com.
