The IUP women's softball team split its doubleheader against Mansfield Saturday after losing the first game 6-4, but they rebounded with a 12-5 victory.
Mansfield got off to an early start; scoring four runs off of three hits in the first inning. Kate Pratt started the scoring with a two-run RBI single. An error by IUP left fielder Michelle Bivona allowed the third runner to advance. Erin Carroll brought in the final run with a ground ball.
Down 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning, the Hawks scored two more runs to make it a one-run game. After an RBI single by Megan McCormick and an RBI double by Stefanie Poates, the Hawks found two runs and turned a three run deficit into a one run game.
Down 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning, Megan McCormick and Stefanie Poates both got on base with an RBI which narrowed the defficite to one run.
However, the Hawks were only able to find one more run as Mansfield put two more on the board after two home runs. Stephanie Simmeth and Nicole Yost both hit solo home runs to extend the lead.
The Hawks were outhit 8-6 and lost the first game.
IUP pitcher Erin Holloway (14-2) lost her second game of the season after pitching six innings. She gave up six runs off of six hits and two home runs.
Mansfield pitcher Melissa Baer won her first game of the year after giving up four runs in seven innings.
She only recorded three strike outs in comparison to Holloway's six, but she walked away with the win.
Mansfield started the second game 1-0 in the bottom of the first after an RBI single, then added two more runs in the fourth inning to make it a three run game.
McCormick got IUP on the board with an RBI single in the fifth inning. Raquel Rugani put up the next two runs with a two-run RBI single. Bivona brought in the inning's final run when she advanced on a fielder's choice.
Mansfield put four runners on the board in the final few innings of the game, but that was not enough as IUP went on to win, 12-5.
In the sixth inning, Poates hit a two-run home run.
That wasn't the end of her night, as she was back at the plate in the seventh inning where she hit a grand slam. Ashley Strack put up the innings final two runs with a two run homerun.
With two of her three strikeouts coming in the final inning, Kelly King (10-3) won her 10th game of the year, giving up five runs off of ten hits.
For Mansfield, pitcher Liz Pieniazek lost her second game of the year, after giving up two runs in the fourth and fifth inning.
Mansfield scored four runs between the fourth and fifth innings, but IUP put across all 12 runners in the game's last three innings, including six runs in the seventh inning.
Poates received the honor of being named PSAC Central Player of the Week after going four for 10 at the plate, two home runs and seven RBIs.
IUP will stay at home 1 p.m. today to play Clarion.
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