Bel Air, Maryland — The Indiana University of Pennsylvania baseball team opened its season Saturday against West Chester University, a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division opponent, falling in both games of the doubleheader.

Game one started with immediate momentum for IUP as Ricardo Aponte homered in his first at-bat of the season, the third batter of the contest. Later in the opener, shortstop David Kessler recorded his 100th career hit as a Crimson Hawk, while third baseman Devon Boyles also connected on a home run, accounting for two of IUP's three runs.

Despite the early power surge, West Chester capitalized on scoring opportunities to secure the win. IUP finished with three runs on five hits and committed two errors. Senior Nathan Mankoski started on Opening Day, pitching 3 1/3 innings and allowing six runs, three earned, on five hits in taking the loss.

In game two, the Golden Rams jumped out to a 3-0 lead through three innings. The Crimson Hawks answered with a four-run fifth inning to claim their first lead of the season, but West Chester responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning against senior right-hander Braden Shepherd to regain control.

IUP scored four runs on four hits and committed two errors in the second game. Braydon May made the start, tossing three innings and allowing three earned runs. Shepherd took the loss after surrendering two earned runs on three hits in two innings of relief.

The Crimson Hawks will look to rebound when they travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania for a doubleheader against Thomas Jefferson University at Gene Depew Field. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon.