SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – In a day filled with offense across four games at Jack Critchfield Park, it was pitching that carried IUP into the PSAC Tournament semifinals.
Senior right-hander Derick Shields delivered the best outing of his season — and possibly his career — as the Crimson Hawks defeated Shippensburg 5-2 Thursday night to become the lone PSAC West team advancing to day three of the tournament.
The second-team All-PSAC selection was perfect through 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one hit across a complete-game effort. Shields struck out a career-high 12 batters while overpowering the Raiders lineup in the chilly evening conditions.
IUP (33-18) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Cayden Bender drew one of three walks in the frame, forcing home Anthony Diodata.
The Crimson Hawks carried the one-run advantage into the fifth inning before adding another run on an RBI double from Bender, his second RBI of the game.
Shippensburg broke through in the seventh inning after Ty Sherman opened the frame with a triple and later scored on a groundout to third baseman Carter Kirsch, trimming the deficit to 2-1.
IUP answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning when senior Jonathan Simpson launched a towering two-run home run to left field, extending the lead to 4-1. The Crimson Hawks later added another run on a throwing error by the Shippensburg catcher.
Sherman accounted for the Raiders' final run with a solo home run in the ninth inning. He was the only Shippensburg player to record a hit against Shields.
The Crimson Hawks finished with seven hits offensively. Sophomore designated hitter Camden Rhude went 2 for 2 and reached base five times after drawing three walks.
IUP advances to face PSAC East top seed West Chester Golden Rams at 3 p.m. Friday in the PSAC semifinals.
The teams met during the opening weekend of the season in Bel Air, Maryland, where West Chester swept a doubleheader by scores of 8-3 and 5-4.
The Golden Rams entered the tournament ranked No. 1 in the Atlantic Region with a 38-9 overall record and a 21-7 mark in PSAC East play. West Chester also posted a 6-0 record against PSAC West opponents this season.
IUP will attempt to solve one of the conference's top pitching staffs. West Chester entered the postseason second in the PSAC with a 4.09 ERA and seven shutouts this season.
