INDIANA, Pa.  – The IUP softball team continued their home stretch with a pair of PSAC West wins against Seton Hill on Tuesday. The Hawks took game one 8-3 and the second by fifteen, 17-2.

Game 1

The Griffins were first to get on the board with a home run, which brought in two runs in the bottom of the first. Their final run came in the third from Paredes after she drew a walk, advanced, and scored on a single to center field.

Madison Pikula scored IUP's first run of the day after she drew a walk, advanced to third, and scored on a groundout. IUP drew three walks in the first inning but left two on base. 

In the bottom of the second Jaycee Haidze singled to left field and advanced on a groundout. Tess Smiley reached on catcher's interference before both she and Haidze scored on Pikula's triple to right center, giving IUP a 3-2 lead. Jordan Sylvia followed with a single to second, driving in Pikula.

IUP extended its lead in the fifth when Brianna Pusateri, pinch-running for Haidze, scored on an error. Smiley stole second but two outs capped the inning, leaving two on base. 

IUP added three more runs in the sixth on four hits. Sylvia began the inning with a home run and then Delaney Patella singled to right field. Paige Truax doubled to right center advancing Patella. Reagan Rand's RBI single brought home Patella and advanced Truax to third. Rand stole second before a sacrifice bunt plated Truax, which put IUP ahead 8-3. 

On the mound was Kendall Young who gave up six hits, three runs, and had five strikeouts.

Game 2

IUP rallied for 17 runs in game two on 13 hits while holding Seton Hill to only two runs. On the mound in game two was Olivia Hillegas who allowed just four hits and two runs.

In the second inning, Truax walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Haidze singled, sending Truax to third before stealing second herself. With runners in scoring position, Jess Cekada doubled to right center, driving in two runs.

IUP added six runs in the bottom of the third on three hits and two errors. The Hawks began the inning with two singles and a walk to load the bases. An error on first base allowed for Sylvia and Griffin to score. A sacrifice fly brought home Patella, pushing the lead to 5-0. Haidze's RBI single drove in Truax, and two more unearned runs from Haidze and Smiley extended the lead to 8-0.

Seton Hill scored their lone two runs in the top of the fourth after a double sent two home. 

IUP put the game out of reach with a commanding nine-run fourth inning. IUP began the inning with three singles, an error, and a walk which brought home four runs. Cekada's infield single plated Truax and Patella, making it 12-2. She then stole second and scored alongside Rand on Pikula's double to right center. Three more runners crossed the plate after another single, walk, and double, pushing the lead to 17-2.

Seton Hill ended the game in the top of the fifth after they were unable to produce any offense from three quick outs. 

Up next
IUP concludes their home stretch on Friday, March 28 with a PSAC East doubleheader against Shippensburg set for 1:00 p.m.
 
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For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.