INDIANA, Pa. — The IUP baseball team rallied for a dramatic 13-12 victory over Fairmont State in a nonconference game Tuesday at Dougherty Field.
Trailing 11-3 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Crimson Hawks erupted for nine runs to take a 12-11 lead.
Fairmont State tied the game with two outs in the top of the ninth off freshman Yaniel Heredia. The tie was short-lived.
Sophomore Camden Rhude delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth, driving in Elijah Dunn with a bases-loaded single. Rhude, who has driven in 20 runs over the past two weeks, finished with two RBIs.
Rhude is now tied for the team lead in RBIs with Ricardo Aponte, as both have 29 on the season. Freshman Diodata capitalized on his fourth start, going 3 for 4 with five RBIs, including two doubles. Aponte scored four runs from the leadoff spot, drawing three walks and adding two hits.
Freshman Nathan Porath earned the win, recording the final out of the ninth inning on a strikeout — his ninth of the season.
IUP will return to action Wednesday on the road against Frostburg State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.