IUP softball defeats West Chester, Mansfield, improves to 7-1

The Crimson Hawks completed doubleheader sweeps of both West Chester and Mansfield with three shutouts, one of which being a no hitter, and a walk off victory in a successful weekend at Podbielski Field.

IUP dominated game one right from the start, posting four runs in the first inning off a two-run double by Ashley Strack and a pair of RBIs by Tara Waldo and Jasa Mitchell. IUP would score two more runs in the fourth off Marissa Leslie’s double, scoring one, and a single by Monica Iachini, scoring Leslie. IUP sealed the victory in the fifth inning off a two run double by Waldo, giving the final score of 8-0.

Pitcher Kelly King tossed another shutout, giving her five for the season, while allowing only three hits and striking out four in five innings.

The beginning of game two was the complete opposite, with West Chester taking the early lead, scoring five runs in the first two innings. IUP shortened the gap in the bottom of the second off a Meghan Carney single, bringing home two runs.

West Chester would answer in the third, scoring two, giving them a 7-2 lead. IUP then answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning to trim the Ram’s lead to four.

The Rams would again extend their lead with a home run in both the fourth and fifth inning, making the score 9-3.

The Crimson Hawks continued to fight and rallied in the bottom of the sixth, scoring six runs off RBI singles by Iachini and McCormick and a three-run homer by Waldo, tying the game at nine. In extra innings, West Chester took back the lead in the top of the eighth, scoring one. IUP answered in the bottom with a walk off single by Waldo, sealing the victory and the sweep. Stefanie McCoy started the game and pitched for six innings before being relieved by King, who pitched the final two innings and earned the win.

“The girls showed a lot of character with the way they played against West Chester, having to battle and come back to win.” IUP Head Coach Bill Graham said.

King stole the show on Sunday versus Mansfield, pitching a no hitter in game one and another shutout in game two, giving the Crimson Hawks a pair of 8-0 victories. King retired the first 15 batters in game one while striking out seven and walking one. She pitched another gem in game two, allowing five hits and striking out two in the complete game victory. King improved her record to 10-3 after her dominant weekend.

IUP’s offense was dominant all day Sunday as well, scoring three runs in the second off RBI singles by Carney and McCormick. IUP had an offensive surge in the fifth, scoring four more runs off a two run single by Carney and two run triple by Leslie. McCormick secured King’s no-no and the victory with a home run in the sixth.

The Crimson Hawks’ offense was spectacular in game two, leading to their second sweep of the weekend. Waldo got the scoring started in the first with an RBI double in the first, giving IUP an early 1-0 lead. That would have been enough for the victory, but the Crimson Hawks weren’t finished scoring there. IUP tacked on three more runs in the third off a two run double by Jasa Mitchell and an RBI single by Waldo.

Mitchell would continue having success at the plate, following McCormick’s two run single with an RBI double in the fourth and reaching first on an error in the sixth, scoring Katie Iyoob to seal the victory.

“We had an outstanding weekend, just a super effort all around, I couldn’t be happier.” Graham said. “These games have given us a lot of confidence. We are definitely starting to peak at the right moment, everyone is feeling comfortable in their roles and they feel that they are always in every game, which is a great attitude to have.  

The Crimson Hawks are back on the field Tuesday when they travel to Bloomsburg for a battle of PSAC Central title contenders.