PITTSBURGH – Behind a dominant outing from
Julia Johnson, Point Park snapped its losing streak with a 3-0 victory over Seton Hill on Tuesday afternoon at Fairhaven Park.
From the opening pitch, Johnson set the tone. The freshman right-hander retired the Griffins in order on just 13 pitches in the first inning, and the Pioneers quickly backed her up with early offense.
Mia Arndt sparked the bottom half of the first by working back into the count and getting hit by a pitch. She promptly stole second and moved to third on a single from Ava Hubble. After Hubble swiped second, a mishandled throw allowed Arndt to score the game's first run. Cam Mann followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Hubble to third, and Shania Cope continued her hot stretch at the plate with a double off the top of the center field fence, driving in Hubble to give Point Park a 2-0 lead.
Johnson cruised through the early innings, retiring the first nine batters she faced before Seton Hill threatened in the fourth. Abby Dejidas broke up the perfect stretch with an infield single, and Kassidy Wittig followed with a hit to put runners on the corners. After a groundout, the Griffins tested Arndt's arm in center field on a sacrifice fly, but her throw to the plate was perfect, cutting down the runner and a perfect tag from Gianna Welsh ended the inning to preserve the shutout.
The Pioneers used that momentum to extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Gia LaBrie reached on an error and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jana Hess. After a groundout moved her to third, Arndt delivered again with an RBI single to make it 3-0.
Seton Hill mounted its best chance in the fifth, putting two runners on with nobody out following a single and a walk. But Johnson stayed composed, retiring the next three batters to escape the jam and keep the Griffins off the board.
In the sixth, Johnson was even more efficient, needing just three pitches to retire the side in order—an unusual and impressive feat that kept the momentum firmly with Point Park.
With a three-run cushion, Johnson finished what she started in the seventh. She struck out the leadoff hitter, induced a groundout, and then recorded the final out on a fly ball to seal the shutout victory.
Arndt, Hubble, Cope, and Emma Henry each recorded a hit for the Pioneers. Arndt also stole two bases, setting a new career high with 25 on the season, surpassing her previous mark of 24 set in 2024.
Johnson (5-12) was outstanding, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and four total baserunners. She struck out two in the performance, earning her second career shutout. Shelby Telegdy (8-7) took the loss for Seton Hill, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits over six innings.
With the win, Point Park improves to 8-26 on the season, while Seton Hill drops to 17-18.
GAME TWO CANCELLED
Game two of the scheduled doubleheader was canceled due to heavy rain that moved through the area following the conclusion of game one. The field was deemed unplayable, and the game will not be made up.
UP NEXT
Point Park continues its homestand this weekend as Charleston and West Virginia State visit Fairhaven Park. The Golden Eagles will face the Pioneers on Saturday, followed by the Yellow Jackets on Sunday. First pitch for both days is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
