BOX SCORE 1 / BOX SCORE 2
KENNEDY TWP., Pa. – Point Park University softball handed (RV) Indiana University Southeast two losses Friday, winning game one, 2-1, and game two in eight innings, 5-4.
Several rain delays throughout the evening extended the time for the doubleheader from the usual four hours to almost six hours. The rain did not, however, dampen the spirits of the Pioneers (19-17, 12-4 KIAC).
The Grenadiers (28-15, 13-3) are “receiving votes” in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll and came into today's doubleheader with only one loss in the KIAC.
In game two, IU Southeast jumped on the board first with three runs in the top of the third inning.
The Grendiers added another run in the top of the fourth, but Point Park answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, making the score 4-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Pioneers senior Taylor Geary hit a double, and a groundout to third base by Brittany Zeigler turned into a run when Geary came home on a throwing error to third by the first baseman, making the score 4-2.
Sophomore Kim Corcoran doubled, and catcher Jess Beitler hit a two-run home run to tie the game, 4-4.
Senior Hannah Harley (8-7) pitched four innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts before second baseman Erica Burns (1-0) took the mound to claim the win.
Burns kept the Grenadiers off-balance with her change-up, allowing only one hit, two walks and ringing up four strikeouts in four innings.
After a 40-minute rain delay before the top of the seventh, the game went into extra innings with the score still tied, 4-4.
Burns helped her own cause at the plate in the bottom of the eight, when a single, a walk and an error loaded the bases. Burns hit a hard single past the first baseman, driving in the winning 5-4 run in for Point Park.
In game one, the Pioneers put a run on the board first in the bottom of the second when freshman Chelsea Rogel hit a solo home run over the center field fence, her second of the season.
The Grenadiers answered with a run in the top of the third to tie the score, 1-1.
Point Park scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fourth when freshman Shannon Davis reached on a fielder's choice.
Senior Haley Wisniewski hit a two-out single to put Davis in scoring position, and junior Becca Babincak hit an RBI single to bring Davis home and put the Pioneers up, 2-1.
The Point Park defense held the Grenadiers scoreless for the remainder of the game, and winning pitcher Ashley Iagnemma (8-8) allowed one run on three hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts.
Iagnemma, who won KIAC Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of April 11, has recorded three double-digit strikeout games since April 15.
The Pioneers host Brescia (Ky.) University today for the final KIAC doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. ET. Watch the game live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/ppu/ or listen on WPPJ at http://wppjradio.com/.
Today is Point Park's Senior Day, so catch a Fan Van in the Student Center lot at 11 a.m. to watch the pre-game recognition at 11:30 a.m. before the beginning of game one.
Follow the Pioneers on Twitter @PointParkSports and @PPUSoftball and Facebook.com/PointParkAthletics.
