GREENSBURG, Pa. – The IUP softball team split Monday's doubleheader against California (Pa.) at the SHU Softball Complex in Greensburg. IUP earned a decisive win in the first game with a score of 11-1 in five innings but dropped the second game 7-5.
After today's split, IUP is now 18-8 overall and 9-3 in conference action.
Game one
On the mound was
Kendall Young who improved to 10-2 on the season. Young gave up five hits and one run and posted seven strikeouts.
Despite two groundouts to begin the bottom of the first, IUP managed to score four runs on four hits.
Jordan Sylvia drew a walk,
Delaney Patella doubled, and both scored off of
Paige Truax's single up the middle.
Reagan Rand's home run drove in Truax to put IUP ahead 4-0.
Jaycee Haidze added a single but was stranded after a flyout closed the inning.
In the bottom of the third, IUP added another three runs on two hits to extend their lead to 7-0. Patella started the inning with a single down the right field line. Truax reached on a throwing error and advanced to third, while Patella scored. Rand reached on a fielding error and Truax added another run. Rand scored on a groundout from
Jess Cekada before two more outs finished the inning.
IUP's final runs were scored in the bottom of the fourth.
Maddie Griffin hit a single and came around to score on Sylvia's RBI double to left center. Sylvia advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly from Patella. Truax put IUP in double digits after she singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and crossed the plate from Rand's triple to right center. Rand scored the final run while California (Pa.) added just one run in the top of the fifth.
Game two
The Vulcans got out to an early 4-0 lead after a three-run homer in the top of the first inning.
IUP answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs.
Madison Pikula and Griffin hit singles, with Pikula scoring on Sylvia's sacrifice fly to left center. A dropped foul ball in right field then allowed Griffin to cross the plate for IUP's second run, down 4-2.
IUP took the lead in the bottom of the second inning after they scored three more runs. Haidze began with a home run to right center. Cekada drew a walk,
Tess Smiley singled, and Pikula's groundout advanced both runners. Griffin's single up the middle drove in both runners to give IUP the advantage, 5-4.
However, California (Pa.) added two more runs in the fourth from three hits, and their final run came in the seventh to take the second game.
Up next
IUP returns to action on Wednesday, April 9 at Pitt-Johnstown for a doubleheader set to begin at 2:00 p.m.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP softball program, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) and Instagram @IUPsoftball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
