IUP Men's Baseball team opens season 2-2

The IUP men's baseball team opened the season 2-2 after splitting both double-headers against Chowan University during the weekend.

On Feb. 26, IUP lost the opening game 2-1 after giving up two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Chowan's Justin Shockley singled to left field allowing Brandon Mack to bring in the tying run. Ryan Moore followed up with a single of his own bringing Colby Wiggins in for the leading score.

The Crimson Hawks managed to get two hits, but left two on-base as Brett Quiggle struck out to end the game.

IUP's Greg Stewart pitched the first five innings before Stephen Cooke took the mound. Stewart gave up only two hits, striking out three players. Cooke allowed two runs off two hits for his first loss of the season.

IUP made up for the loss by rebounding with a 9-1 victory in the second game. In the third inning, Tyler Mroz singled to bring in Frank Sirolli, tying the game at 1. Shaffer tripled to bring Mroz in for the second run. Quiggle singled to the right field, which brought Shaffer in for the third run of the inning.

Mroz finished the game with three hits, three RBIs and two runs. Robbie Zinsmeister hit a homerun in the top of the fourth inning. IUP pitcher Chris Douglas picked up his first win after pitching six innings, allowing one run off of two hits, striking out five players.

On the Feb. 27, IUP opened its second double-header against Chowan, winning 5-2.

The Hawks were down 2-1 before finding three runs in the fifth inning.

Zinsmeister was hit by a pitch and Sirolli was walked. Powell singled to bring Zinsmeister in for the run. Dylan Songer singled to allow Sirolli to bring in the run to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead. IUP added to the lead after Aaron Lupia flied out for the sacrifice fly ball. Vern Powell came in for the third run.

Mitch Perez picked up his first win of the season after picking four game and Evan Phillips got his first save of the season pitching the remaining three innings, allowing one hit and zero runs.

The second game of the double-header did not go so well for the Hawks, as they lost 7-3.

IUP gave up four runs in the first inning, going down 4-1 early. Shockley homered in the first after Josh Catalano, Mack and Justin Bagbey all got on base. After giving up those runs, the Hawks only managed to muster up two more runs.

Kyle Heane started the game pitching for IUP, allowing six runs off of seven hits. Ryan Sylvia came in to pitch for Heane in the third. Followed by Tyler Squibbs and Cooke, who all pitched in the game. Zinsmeister recorded three hits and two runs, providing for most of the Hawks points.

The Hawks travel to Georgia where they will play Young Harris College at 3 p.m. on Friday.