INDIANA, Pa. — Indiana University of Pennsylvania swept a key PSAC West softball doubleheader from Slippery Rock on Saturday, pulling into a tie for first place with an 18-5 combined margin at Podbielski Field.
IUP erased a two-game deficit in the standings entering the day, using a balanced offensive attack and strong pitching to match Slippery Rock atop the division at 16-4.
In the opener, Kendall Young became the fifth pitcher in program history to reach 300 career strikeouts while earning her 10th win of the season. Young worked five innings before Madison Booth closed the final two innings in relief.
The Crimson Hawks powered the win with three home runs, including back-to-back shots by Regan Rand and Jess Cekada in the fourth inning. Rand finished with a double and a home run, while Delaney Patella added another home run to extend her program record. Madison Pikula contributed a triple, and Cekada's homer was her fifth of the season.
IUP carried that momentum into game two, completing the sweep with a 9-0 victory in five innings. The Crimson Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and added three runs in both the third and fourth frames to secure the run-rule win.
Freshman Taylor Bumgardner earned her 11th victory and recorded her second straight five-inning shutout. IUP again relied on extra-base production, totaling two home runs and two doubles in the nightcap.
With the sweep, IUP moves into a first-place tie in the PSAC West heading into a bye week. The Crimson Hawks return to action next weekend with road games against Edinboro on Saturday and Gannon on Sunday.
