MILLERSVILLE, Pa. -- The (W3) IUP baseball team earned a 2-1 win over (E2) East Stroudsburg on the opening day of the PSAC Tournament, to secure a spot in the double-elimination stage of the bracket. 

In the first inning, Au'sean Owens led off with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on Ricardo Aponte's single to right field. Owens scored on Elijah Dunn's sacrifice line out to right field.  

In the top of the fifth, Cayden Bender got a base hit on the first pitch and then advanced to second on Davin Landers's sacrifice bunt. Teague Hoover followed with a walk and the Warriors made a change on the mound. Owens's sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. Aponte was intentionally walked which loaded the bases. Mike Huber drew the third walk of the inning which sent Bender to score to put IUP ahead, 2-0. 

East Stroudsburg scored in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI single to center field.  

Nick Rispoli relieved Cameron Copple on the mound in the bottom of the ninth and struck out all three batters to get the save. Derrick Shields earned the win, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and recording five strikeouts.

Up Next   
IUP will play the winner of Seton Hill / Shippensburg on Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. in day two of the PSAC Tournament.  
   
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