JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Indiana (Pa.) baseball used a late rally in Game 1 and an offensive outburst in Game 2 to complete a PSAC West doubleheader sweep of Pitt-Johnstown on Thursday at Point Stadium.
The Crimson Hawks took the opener 6-3 before rolling to an 11-2 win in the nightcap, improving to 29-19 overall and 16-10 in conference play.
In Game 1, IUP trailed 3-0 entering the sixth inning before breaking through with two runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh.
Johnathan Simpson delivered a go-ahead RBI single to center field in the seventh, scoring David Kessler and giving the Crimson Hawks the lead for good. IUP scored four runs in the frame on three hits to complete the comeback.
Starter Derrick Shields kept IUP within striking distance, allowing three runs — all earned — over 5 1/3innings. The senior struck out eight while throwing 85 pitches.
The Crimson Hawks finished with six runs on six hits, including a home run, while Pitt-Johnstown managed three runs on 10 hits and left seven runners on base.
Game 2 belonged to IUP from the start.
Ricardo Aponte walked to open the game, stole second and later scored on Camden Rhude's sacrifice fly as the Crimson Hawks grabbed an early lead. IUP scored in six of seven innings and never let UPJ settle in.
The Crimson Hawks piled up 11 runs despite recording just seven hits, drawing eight walks, getting hit by two pitches and stealing eight bases. They also capitalized on six Pitt-Johnstown errors.
Cameron Copple started the second game and helped limit the Mountain Cats to two runs on three hits as IUP played error-free defense behind him.
Pitt-Johnstown scored both of its runs in the first inning before the Crimson Hawks shut the door the rest of the way.
The Hawks and Mountain Cats will return to Dougherty Field on Friday to finish the final PSAC series of the regular season. First pitch of game one will be at 1 p.m.
