The Slippery Rock University softball team (8-11 overall, 4-2 PSAC) split a doubleheader against Indiana University of Pennsylvania (13-7 overall, 7-3 PSAC) Saturday, April 6th.
The two games were on opposite sides of the spectrum for SRU. The Rock dominated the first matchup, winning the game 10-2. IUP’s only scoring came in the first inning when freshman infielder Hannah Mercer hit a two-run homerun.
SRU began its scoring in the second inning with a double by junior infielder Taylor Welch, which allowed sophomore infielder Katie Kaiser and senior first basemen Breanna Tongel to score. Freshman catcher McKenzie Popatak then hit a two-run homerun in the fourth inning to give SRU the lead.
Popatak had two more RBIs in the fifth inning when she hit a single, allowing senior pitcher Emily Lobdell and freshman outfielder Eliza Sykes to score. Junior outfielder Alaynna Beers then hit a three-run homerun, allowing junior outfielder Haley Sherer and freshman outfielder Nicole Siciliano to score.
Sophomore outfielder Megan Maloney ended the game with a single RBI, allowing Kaiser to score.
Lobdell was awarded the win giving her an overall record of 5-3 this season. She gave up just two hits after the first inning, and struck out five.
The second game was evenly matched until the sixth inning. IUP senior outfielder Jasa Mitchell hit a solo homerun in the fourth inning. However, sophomore third basemen Ashley Samluk then hit her own single homerun to tie the game for SRU. Lobdell pitched five innings while only allowing one run.
Freshman pitcher Carly DeRose came in for SRU during the top of the sixth inning to replace Lobdell. The seventh inning is when things got out of hand for the Rock.
IUP scored six runs during the seventh inning. There were a plethora of hits, including two homeruns, and also a few wild pitches that allowed IUP players to advance.
DeRose was given the loss, giving her an overall record of 3-6 this season.
The Green and White will play Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Wednesday, April 9th at home.
