CLERMONT, Fla. – IUP softball built an early lead and managed to hold off Ohio Dominican's seventh-inning comeback attempt to begin their day with a win, 4-3. However, despite a five-run fifth inning, IUP couldn't hold on against Wayne State, who tied the game in the seventh and secured the game-winning run, 6-5.
IUP is now 7-3 on the season and will play four more games at The Spring Games in Florida.
Game 1 – Ohio Dominican
Madison Pikula,
Maddie Griffin,
Delaney Patella, and
Tess Smiley each recorded one hit with
Reagan Rand having two. On the mound was
Kendall Young who pitched all seven innings and gave up just five hits and three runs. Young improves to 5-0 on the season.
The first inning was a quick three outs for each team. IUP scored all of their four runs in the bottom of the second.
Jordan Sylvia started the inning drawing a walk. Rand doubled to center field that sent Sylvia to score and then later scored herself after Smiley singled to first base. Pikula then hit a triple advancing Smiley home. Griffin reached on an error that sent Pikula to the plate, giving IUP an early 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Patella singled and then both Sylvia and Maddie Miller drew walks that loaded the bases. Unfortunately, with two outs, Smiley capped the inning with a swinging strikeout, leaving three stranded.
Both offenses were quiet until Ohio Dominican got things rolling in the top of the seventh, bringing home three runs before the final two outs. Young gave up four of the five hits in this inning.
Game 2 – Wayne State
Sylvia had two hits, two RBIs, a double, and one run. The team's remaining four hits came from Pikula, Patella, Rand, and Smiley. Both Rand and Smiley hit triples and each scored a run.
Olivia Hillegas pitched the entire game for IUP, she allowed 10 hits and six runs, that brings her record to 2-3 on the season.
Wayne State got on the board first with a home run in the bottom of the first inning.
In the top of the fourth, Sylvia doubled to left center followed by Pikula's single to center. Pikula then stole second, but the inning ended with two consecutive outs, leaving both runners stranded.
IUP took the lead with a five-run fifth inning. After a groundout by
Brianna Pusateri, Smiley sparked the rally with a triple to right-center. Truax reached on a fielder's choice and stole second before Griffin got on base due to a fielding error, which loaded the bases. Sylvia then delivered a single through the left side, advanced to second on the throw, and drove in both Truax and Smiley to put IUP ahead 2-1. Patella followed with a double to center, bringing in Sylvia and Griffin to extend the lead to 4-1. IUP capped off the inning when
Reagan Rand tripled down the right-field line, scoring Patella to make it 5-1.
With two outs, Wayne State drew a walk, singled, and earned another walk to load the bases before a double plated two runs, cutting the deficit to 5-3. They later tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with three hits and a walk.
In the eighth, Pikula was placed on second and Pusateri drew a walk, but three outs left both on base. In the bottom half, Wayne State's O'Donnell was placed on second, and Fick singled to right field, allowing O'Donnell to score the game-winning run.
Up Next
IUP returns to action Thursday, March 13, with two games against UINDY at 9:00 a.m. and Purdue Northwest at 11:15 a.m.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
