CLERMONT, Fla. – IUP softball opened up the Spring Games in Florida with two wins against Bemidji State (3-2) and Northwood (5-2) this morning.

Game 1 - Bemidji State:

On the mound, Kendall Young pitched all seven innings and gave up just three hits. Madison Pikula, Maddie Griffin, and Emily Miller each crossed the plate for IUP. Griffin, Paige Truax, and Tess Smiley all recorded hits, with Smiley delivering a double.
 
In the first inning, Maddie Griffin singled to second base, followed by a walk from Jordan Sylvia. Paige Truax then singled to second, allowing Griffin to score and advancing Sylvia. However, a flyout stranded Sylvia on base.
 
In the third, Madison Pikula led off with a walk. Griffin reached on an error, advancing Pikula. Sylvia then grounded out, moving both runners forward. Delaney Patella followed with a sacrifice fly, bringing Pikula home to make it 2-0. A quick groundout by Truax ended the top of the third.
 
In the fourth, Regan Rand drew a walk. Emily Miller reached on an error by the right fielder, advancing Rand to third. Brianna Pusateri then reached on a fielder's choice, moving Miller to third while Rand was thrown out at home. Tess Smiley delivered a double to right field, driving in Miller and advancing Pusateri. IUP ended the fifth inning with a 3-0 lead.
 
Bemidji State responded in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs on a walk, two singles, and a pair of stolen bases. Neither team managed to generate any offense in the final inning, which secured a 3-2 victory for IUP.
 
Game 2 - Northwood: 
 
On the mound, Olivia Hillegas pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and two runs. In the second game of the day, Griffin went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored twice. Jaycee Haidze contributed with a double, three RBIs, and a run scored. Patella, Truax, and Jess Cekada each recorded a hit.
 
In the first inning, Griffin singled to shortstop and was advanced on a walk by Haidze. Patella grounded out, moving both runners forward. Truax reached on a fielding error which advanced Haidze and allowed Griffin to score. IUP ended the first inning up, 1-0. 
 
In the top of the second, Northwood loaded the bases, and Lundquist delivered an RBI single to bring in a run.
 
IUP responded with a strong second inning, scoring four runs. Reagan Rand led off with a walk, followed by a groundout from Emily Miller. Cekada also drew a walk before Griffin singled to load the bases. With two outs, Haidze ripped a double to right-center, driving in three runs as Griffin, Cekada, and Rand all crossed the plate. Patella then singled to left field, bringing in Haidze to extend the Hawks' lead to 5-1. Truax reached on a fielding error and stole second, but IUP left two runners stranded.
 
The third and fourth innings were both three quick outs for each team. Northwood opened the fifth with a triple and managed to bring a runner home on a sacrifice fly, to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Up Next
IUP returns to action tomorrow, March 9, with two games against Winona State (2:00 p.m.) and Hillsdale (4:15 p.m.).

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