MORGANTOWN W.Va. – In a hard-fought battle, IUP led for most of the game but were unable to respond to a ninth inning-surge from Hillsdale, ultimately falling 5-3. The game featured early power from the Hawks, clutch double plays, and a dramatic finish as the Chargers came alive late to secure the win.
 
IUP struggled to get the offense rolling with only two players recording hits, Elijah Dunn and Mike Huber. The team did show patience at the plate by drawing multiple walks but could not convert with leaving runners on base in scoring position. Dunn's two-run homer in the first gave the Hawks an electric start, but they failed to follow up with much offense after that. Defensively, IUP showed good execution, highlighted by a crucial double play from Cameron Copple to Huber in the sixth inning to halt Hilldale's momentum. On the other side, Hillsdale had seven players record a hit in today's matchup.
 
IUP dropped to 1-5 while Hillsdale improved to 9-7 overall on the season.
 
The Hawks showed promise early with three consecutive Charger outs to start the first and a Huber leadoff single to center. Huber set the stage for Dunn, who crushed a two-run home run to put them up 2-0 heading into the second. Both offenses stalled in the second with six consecutive outs by both teams. The third had a lot of stranded runners with the Chargers leaving players on first and second. An error, hit by pitch, and a walk left the bases loaded for Robert Carfagno. IUP couldn't capitalize and left runners in scoring position going into the fourth.
 
The Chargers broke through in the fourth from the efforts of Kent who got walked, stole second, and then scored off a single from Rocco Tenuta. IUP got themselves out of a jam and kept two Charger runners on base. In the bottom half, IUP found themselves in a similar position to the third inning with the bases loaded, but failed to push across a run, leaving three stranded. The fifth inning saw action from both teams with a solo home run for Hillsdale and a double from Huber. Huber's double would be rewarded with a run from a sacrifice fly from Carfagno.
 
In the sixth inning, a double play from Copple to Huber retired the Charger's batters in order. IUP also went down in order, but they retained their one run lead going into the seventh. Bryce DeVan came into pitch for IUP in the seventh and had an immediate impact, recording two pivotal strikeouts to keep the Hawks in front. DeVan came up clutch again in the eighth, providing a big out with the bases loaded. The IUP offense could not get going in the seventh or eighth, giving Hillsdale an opportunity to come back to begin the ninth.
 
The Hillsdale offense looked rejuvenated in the ninth, scoring three runs to take the lead 5-3. The Hawks needed a late game rally of their own but failed to respond, leading to a tough loss after leading most of the game.
 
Up Next
IUP will return to action tomorrow against Fairmont State, set for 3:00 p.m.
 
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