QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – The IUP softball program had its 21st Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament run come to a close with a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Kutztown in an elimination game at Veterans Park.

IUP's overall record is now 26-20, and they finished 15-13 in conference action. 

IUP battled the entire game, tying the game three times before they took the lead in the top of the seventh.

Kutztown was the first to score in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the fourth, Maddie Griffin doubled to right center and scored on Paige Truax's single to left field. In the bottom of the inning, the Golden Bears scored on a sac fly to center field to retake the lead, 2-1. 

In the fifth, IUP responded with an RBI double from Madison Pikula that drove in Brianna Pusateri. Kutztown answered with two runs on two hits in the bottom, 4-2.  

IUP tied up the game at four in the sixth inning. With two outs, Truax drew a walk and came around on Delaney Patella's home run to right field.  

In the top of the seventh, Jess Cekada led off with a deep ball to center field to put the Hawks in front, 5-4. However, a two-run homer by Kutztown in the bottom of the inning handed IUP the walk-off defeat.

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