INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP softball team came up short in two hard-fought games against PSAC West leader Slippery Rock during Tuesday's doubleheader.
With today's results, IUP is now 23-15 on the season and 14-10 in conference action. IUP dropped the series against the Rock, 3-1, after previously splitting their first two matchups earlier this season.
Game one
Slippery Rock got out to a three-run lead in the top of the second inning after a two-run homer and an RBI single to right center.
IUP added five runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead.
Brianna Pusateri and
Madeline Miller both singled. Miller advanced to third and Pusateri scored on a wild pitch to put IUP on the board.
Ruby Singleton singled,
Madison Pikula drew a walk, and
Maddie Griffin's single loaded the bases.
Jordan Sylvia followed with a grand slam to put IUP ahead 5-3.
Slippery Rock added another run in the fourth and retook the lead in the fifth, 6-5.
In the bottom of the fifth,
Delaney Patella drew a walk and scored when Rand doubled to center field to tie the game at six each.
The Rock got back in front at the top of the seventh with a home run to left center and an RBI single to right field, 8-6.
In the bottom of the inning, Patella drew a walk, and a hit by pitch put Rand on base. However, a foul out and a groundout ended the first game.
Game two
Slippery Rock was first to get on the board in the first inning on a sac fly to right field and added two more runs before IUP scored in the bottom of the fifth.
Maddie Griffin was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on Sylvia's double to right field. A sac fly to right field sent Griffin across the plate.
The Rock scored another run in the top of the sixth, just before IUP responded in the bottom of the inning with three runs on three hits. With two outs,
Ruby Singleton was hit by a pitch, and both Pikula and Griffin singled, which load the bases. Sylvia hit a double to right center for three RBI to tie the game at four each.
In the top of the seventh, a three-run homer to right center put the Rock back in front, 7-4. In the bottom of the inning, Pusateri singled to third base, but three outs followed, as the Hawks dropped the second game 7-4.
Up Next
IUP rounds out regular season home games against Pitt-Johnstown on Friday, April 25, for senior and alumni day.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
