INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP softball team began the doubleheader against Clarion with a 8-7 victory, but dropped the second game 12-9 to conclude IUP's home opener against Clarion. 
 
IUP softball is now 10-6 overall and holds a 1-1 record in conference play. IUP's home doubleheader against the Golden Eagles originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, will now be played on the road at Clarion.
 
Game 1:
 
Leading hitter for the Crimson Hawks was Maddie Griffin who went 3-4 at the plate and scored one run. Jordan Sylvia led the Crimson Hawks with RBIs, recording four in total. Kendall Young was the starter on the mound for IUP and boosted her record to 6-2. 
 
The Crimson Hawks came out hot in the first two innings, Maddie Griffin tripled to left field and advanced to home on the next at bat due to an error. Right after, Delaney Patella hit a two-run home run that brought Sylvia home. 
 
In the second inning, Sylvia hit a three-run home run to give the Crimson Hawks a 6-0 lead. Both teams exchanged two runs in the third inning. 
 
Attempting a comeback, Clarion scored five runs unanswered in the next three innings. IUP was able to hold onto the lead and sealed the victory with an unsuccessful steal attempt by the Golden Eagles. 
 
Game 2:
 
Reagan Rand recorded the most RBIs in the matchup for the Crimson Hawks with four. Sylvia followed right behind with three RBIs. Olivia Hillegas was on the mound for the Crimson Hawk and her record fell to 4-4.
 
IUP found themselves playing catch up extremely fast as Clarion scored five runs in the top of the first inning. Rand cut the deficit with three RBIs batted in on a double that went to center field. 
 
The Crimson Hawks gained momentum after the turbulent first inning and found themselves running up their score. In the second inning, Madison Pikula reached first on an error and advanced to second from a successful hit by Griffin. This allowed Sylvia to score a three-run home run and gave the Crimson Hawks the lead. 
 
In the third inning, Madison Pikula singled to left field which brought Jaycee Haidze home and in the next inning; after being walked, Paige Truax was able to get to home base from a double that ended up in left field by Rand. 
 
Clarion regained the momentum and scored a total of seven runs in the sixth and seventh innings while IUP only scored one in response. Finalizing the game with a score of 12-9. 
 
Up next
 
IUP continues PSAC West action with a matchup at home against Gannon in a doubleheader on Friday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m.
 
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