INDIANA, Pa. (April 5, 2016) – After dropping game one of a scheduled doubleheader in five innings, 8-0, the Edinboro University softball team rebounded in the second game of the afternoon to defeat Indiana (Pa.), 2-1, and snap a three-game losing streak. With the split, the Fighting Scots are now 8-12 overall while the Crimson Hawks improved to 16-12.
The Fighting Scots are scheduled to finally make their home debut this weekend, hosting a pair of PSAC foes for doubleheaders. On Friday, April 8, Edinboro will welcome local rival Mercyhurst at 2:30 p.m. before hosting Seton Hill on Saturday, April 9, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
Game One: IUP 8, Edinboro 0 (Five Innings)In what was an uneventful game for the first couple opening innings, the first contest of the day was busted open in the bottom of the third inning by the Crimson Hawks. With bases loaded, IUP's Megan Gould started the scoring with an RBI single. Allison Viguers and Amanda Parrish followed up with back-to-back RBIs. Amy Fairman scored two runs on a double to give IUP a 5-0 lead.
The Crimson Hawks added another run in the bottom of the fourth and two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the winning 8-0 lead.
Samantha Weaver recorded the loss, putting her record at 0-3. Weaver pitched 2.1 innings, giving up five hits and five runs while walking two and striking out one. Lauren Zola earned the win for the Crimson Hawks, pitching all five innings and giving up one hit while walking two and fanning nine batters.
Game Two: Edinboro 2, IUP 1After a tough opening game, the Fighting Scots rebounded to take game two thanks in part to a strong showing in the circle from
Abby Sotter as she recorded her first win of the season. Sotter pitched a complete game, giving up five hits and just one run as she struck out four Crimson Hawks with one walk.
Abby Sotter struck out four batters as she picked up her first winIUP struck first in the contest, scoring their lone run of the contest in the bottom of the first on an Allison Viguers RBI that drove in leadoff batter Hannah Mercer to give the Crimson Hawks a 1-0 lead. Edinboro didn't waste much time in responding, scoring the equalizer in the top of the next inning. After a
Roni Lipinski double,
Katie Holmes singled to right field to bring in Lipinski to knot the game up at 1-1.
After three scoreless innings, the Fighting Scots got back on the board, taking the lead at 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning. Following a
Danna Heh leadoff bunt single,
Alexandra Carroll threw down a sacrifice bunt to advance Heh to second.
Claire Johnston capitalized on the runner in scoring position, driving Heh home with a double to left field.
After a three up three down inning in the top of the seventh, the Crimson Hawks had the chance to tie or win the ballgame in the bottom of the inning. Rachel Francis led off the bottom of the seventh with a single to represent the tying run. Francis advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and reached third after MacKenna Miller was safe at first on a fielding error. Miller stole second to set up Lauren Goetz for a possible walk off winner.
Fortunately, the Fighting Scots were able to turn a double play to end the game and secure the victory. Goetz returned a ground ball back to the pitcher who made the throw to first and when she did, the tying run at third broke for home, but was called out at the plate.
Brooke Darling received the loss for IUP, just her third of the season, to put her record at 8-3. Darling tossed a complete game, giving up five hits and striking out eight batters.
