PITTSBURGH – Point Park University softball squared off against with No. 19 University of Rio Grande in the River States Conference Games of the Week, but the Redstorm came out on top, winning 1-0 and 3-1 in the doubleheader Friday.
With the wins, Rio Grande (36-6, 14-0 RSC) clinches the regular season title and an automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament opening round.
The Pioneers (17-16, 8-4 RSC) made sure to make those two wins difficult for Rio Grande.
Game one was a pitching duel between Point Park's Ashley Iagnemma (SO/Bridgeville, Pa) and Rio's Jenna Jones. Each pitcher allowed only four hits apiece; each pitcher walked only two batters.
Iagnemma racked up 11 strikeouts and Jones had eight.
The difference maker came in the top of the sixth when Rio's Carly Skeese hit a two-out solo home run over the center field fence.
With the Redstorm ahead, 1-0, the Pioneers made it out of a bases-loaded situation in the top of the seventh for another chance to put runs on the board.
Senior Alyssa McMurtrie (SR/Coraopolis, Pa) singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Amber Cook (FR/West Mifflin, Pa.) moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt, but Jones struck out the final two Point Park batters to end the game.
Game 2
In the nightcap, Rio Grande came out on top, 3-1.
Point Park struck first in the bottom of the second. Junior Jess Beitler hit a double, and freshman Courtney Blocher (FR/McDonald, Pa.) came in to pinch run for her. Once again, Cook put down a bunt to advance her to third, and McMurtrie hit a sac fly to center to bring her home.
Rio Grande answered in the top of the third.
Kari Jenkins singled, and Gabby Gregg reached on an error by the third baseman. Cheyenne Hamaker put down a sacrifice bunt to move them over, and Alex Stevens singled to tie the score, 1-1.
Point Park junior Lily Pruneda (JR/Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) made a clutch diving stop in the top of the fifth to end the inning, but the Pioneers could not put together any hits in the bottom half of the inning.
Rio Grande took advantage, and scored two runs in the top of the sixth.
Taylor Arndt doubled, and MacKenzie Nichols hit a two-out double to make the score, 2-1. Michaela Criner hit an RBI single to put the Redstorm up, 3-1, before the pitching change.
Point Park's Tiffany Edwards (SO/Deer Lakes, Pa.) took the loss on the mound, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits and striking out five. Freshman Katie Tarr (FR/Burgettstown, Pa.) pitched 1.1 innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Rio's Kelsey Conkey picked up the complete game win, allowing one run on three hits and striking out seven.
The Pioneers host WVU Tech Saturday for a River States Conference doubleheader. First pitch is at 1 p.m., and Fan Vans will depart the Student Center lot at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
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