Hawks use high-powered offense to outscore Gannon 17-6 in two-game sweep

The IUP softball team extended its school-record 13-game winning streak with a sweep over Clarion by taking both games Tuesday and outscoring it by a total of 17-6.

The Crimson Hawks (21-2, 4-0) had a lot of success to start the first game, scoring four runs in the first two innings. In the first inning, the Hawks took an early lead with an RBI single by Megan McCormick. Stefanie Poates added two more runs with a home run. The Hawks added another run in the second inning to take a 4-0 lead.

IUP had phenomenal pitching, as the first four batters for Clarion were struck out by IUP pitcher Erin Holloway. Holloway gave up four runs on four hits and struck out eight batters.

Clarion (5-7, 0-4) put up four runs in the fifth inning to bring it from within one run of tying the game, but it was not enough for the Hawks' offense. A two-run double by Jen Beaver, an RBI single by McCormick and two unearned runs by Taylor Rozantz and McCormick put five more runs in the sixth inning. Sealing the game for IUP were three more runs in the seventh inning.

Marissa Leslie led the Hawks with three runs off of two hits and an RBI.

Beaver finished the game with four RBIs off of two hits and had two runs.

The win now puts Holloway at 12-1 in the season, as she beat out Clarion pitcher Megan Daley, who gave up 14 hits and 13 runs and finished the game with eight errors.

The second game of the double header didn't see as many runs as the first, but IUP was able to get out to an early lead and hold it for the rest of the game.

Dee Eppinger put three runs on the board for IUP in the second inning with a home run.

With a single by Michelle Bivona in the third inning, the Hawks had a 4-0 lead.

Clarion cut in on that lead with two runs of their own. Elizabeth Shiring singled to bring in the first runner. Rebecca Lynch scored the second run unearned.

Clarion did not find any more points and lost, 4-2.

IUP pitcher Kelly King improved her record to 9-1 with the victory, giving up six hits and two runs.

The IUP softball team will take the road and travel to Shippensburg 1 p.m. Saturday and then finish up the weekend at 1 p.m. Sunday against Lock Haven.

IUP returns home 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to take on Bloomsburg.