INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP softball team extended their home stretch with two five-inning victories over Edinboro this afternoon. IUP combined for 27 runs and 24 hits on the day, while limiting Edinboro to six runs and eight hits. 

IUP is now 14-6 on the season and 5-1 in conference action. 

On the day, Jess Cekada, Maddie Griffin, and Madison Pikula each recorded four hits and scored four runs apiece. Griffin had six RBIs and stole four bases. Both Cekada and Reagan Rand hit home runs. On the mound Kendall Young and Olivia Hillegas picked up wins and combined for seven hits, and Young allowed zero runs in game one and recorded seven strikeouts.

Game 1

Pikula scored first for the Hawks in game one after she singled, advanced to third on a sacrifice, and scored on a throwing error.

In the bottom of the third, IUP went through the lineup after they brought in six runs on four hits and an error. Griffin singled, advanced to second, stole third, and then scored on an error by third base. Both Delaney Patella and Paige Truax drew walks. Rand singled to shortstop which sent Patella to score. Jaycee Haidze drew a walk that loaded the bases just before Cekada hit a homer that put IUP ahead 7-0. 

IUP had another six-run inning in the bottom of the fourth. Three singles loaded up the bases just before all three runners scored after Haidze doubled to left field, which put IUP ahead by double digits. Griffin reached on an error by second base and both Miller and Cekada scored which capped the game at 13-0 after Edinboro was unable to produce any runs in the top of the fifth.

Game 2

IUP began the second game with three singles and two stolen bases, which included Pikula scoring from Griffin's single. Rand reached first on an error, allowing Sylvia to advance to third, and Griffin crossed home plate to extend IUP's lead to 2-0. Rand then stole second and later scored alongside Sylvia on Haidze's single to left field, making it 4-0. The inning continued with two more singles and a pair of walks. Griffin's single to shortstop brought in three additional runs who scored on a throwing error, which put IUP ahead 8-0. 

In the second, Paige Truax drew a walk and then stole second, followed by Rand's home run that put IUP ahead 10-0. Tess Smiley followed with a triple to center field, driving in Cekada for another run.

Edinboro responded with a run in the top of the third, but IUP answered in the bottom half when Griffin stole home. In the top of the fourth, Edinboro scored five runs on three hits. 

In the bottom of the fifth,Pikula doubled to right-center and advanced to third on Griffin's single to center. Griffin stole second, and both runners scored when Sylvia singled, securing the victory.

Up next
IUP continues their home stretch on Tuesday, March, 25 at 2:00 p.m. with a doubleheader against Seton Hill. 
 
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