SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — IUP baseball's run at a PSAC championship came to an end Saturday with a 6-2 loss to defending conference champion West Chester in the semifinals.
The Golden Rams, ranked No. 1 in the Atlantic Region, limited the Crimson Hawks to just three hits in the contest.
West Chester starter Kyle Lazer pitched six innings before turning the game over to reliever Luke Raho, who dominated over the final three innings. Raho struck out six of the nine batters he faced and did not allow a hit.
Cameron Copple started on the mound for IUP and suffered his fourth loss of the season after allowing three earned runs in three innings.
The Crimson Hawks used seven pitchers during the game.
Anthony Diodata, Erik Rhodes and Camden Rhude accounted for IUP's three hits.
West Chester scored once in the first inning before adding four runs in the fourth to build a 5-0 lead.
IUP answered in the fifth inning when Diodata delivered an RBI single. Rhodes later scored on the play after reaching base earlier in the inning, while redshirt junior Teague Hoover also crossed the plate after getting aboard on a fielder's choice.
The loss leaves IUP awaiting its postseason fate after dropping out of the Atlantic Regional rankings entering the tournament. Seton Hill was the only PSAC West team ranked entering the weekend, but the Griffins were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Millersville.
