GREENSBURG, Pa. – Baseball is a game of inches.

In Friday's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference doubleheader between IUP and Seton Hill Griffins, the Crimson Hawks came up just short, as Seton Hill won both games by one run, 5-4 in Game 1 and 3-2 in Game 2.

IUP came out swinging in the opener, scoring two runs in the first inning, followed by single runs in the third and fourth. Ricardo Aponte drove in and scored both runs in the first for the Crimson Hawks.

Cayden Bender added an RBI and scored a run. The turning point came in the bottom of the fifth, when Seton Hill speedster and PSAC steals leader Jack Whalen laid down a bunt and beat the throw to first. Aponte's throw to Teague Hoover covering first base sailed into right field after pulling Hoover into the baseline, allowing the eventual winning run to score.

Senior Derrick Shields went five innings for IUP, allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits while striking out three in the loss.

Game 2 saw Seton Hill take a 2-0 lead through three innings before IUP responded with runs in the fifth and sixth to tie the game. Freshman Yaniel Heredia and Bender drove in the runs, with Bender collecting his second RBI of the day.

Senior Nathan Mankoski delivered a strong outing, allowing two runs over 6 2/3 innings. Anthony Alberty entered in relief and took the loss after surrendering a sacrifice fly to end the game. Alberty allowed just one hit — again to Whalen — who advanced to second on the single and stole third before coming around to score.

Whalen now has 23 steals through 22 games and 127 for his career in 190 games.

IUP returns to Dougherty Field on Sunday to host Seton Hill for the final two games of the four-game series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.