INDIANA, Pa. – The Gannon softball team earned a pair of PSAC victories over Indiana (Pa.) to record their third series sweep of the season. The Golden Knights defeated IUP with a 11-3 run-rule victory before registering a 4-0 shutout over the Crimson Hawks.
THE RUNDOWN
- Records: Gannon (21-11, 20-8 PSAC), Indiana (Pa.) (17-15, 15-13 PSAC)
- Location: Ruth Podbielski Field | Indiana, Pa.
GAMEDAY MEDIA CENTER
GAME 1
Final Score: Gannon 11, Indiana (Pa.) 3
Box Score: Click Here
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first inning, Gannon took a 2-0 lead in the second after taking advantage of a throwing error before Lea Coffman (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) singled through the left side to double the lead.
- The Golden Knights took control of the game in the fourth bringing in five runs on three hits. Coffman continued her streak as the sophomore drove her first collegiate home run into right center to bring in Lindsay Schmidt (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillian). A walk brought in another run before Kristina DeMatteis (Boyers, Pa./Moniteau) hit a two-run single to make it 7-0.
- IUP scored three runs in the fourth to end the shutout but was immediately responded with four runs as Maria Taliani (Cheswick, Pa./Deer Lakes) recorded her second grand slam of the season. With two outs, back-to-back singles by Coffman and Nicole Bush (Painesville, Ohio/Lake Catholic) put runners on first and second before pinch hitter Hannah Neal (Woodhaven, Mich./Woodhaven) walked to bring Taliani to the plate. The senior unloaded on a pitch to clear the bases to secure the 11-3 run-rule victory.
GAME NOTES
- As a team, the Golden Knights recorded a season-high 11 runs on nine hits with 10 RBI to register their second run-rule victory this year.
- Coffman went 3-for-3 at the plate to tie her season-high including three RBI.
- Taliani's grand slam marks her eighth home run on the season and 31st career homer as she led with a season-high four RBI.
- Kennedy DeMatteis (Boyers, Pa./Moniteau) (11-7) was rewarded the victory limiting the Hawks to three runs (one earned) on five hits with four strikeouts through five complete innings.
GAME 2
Final Score: Gannon 3, Indiana (Pa.) 0
Box Score: Click Here
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Gannon opened scoring in the second as Krisitina DeMatteis scored on a passed ball to take the 1-0 lead.
- Nicole Bush (Painesville, Ohio/Lake Catholic) led off the third with a single through the left side before Megan Dietrick (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) doubled down the left field line to place runners in scoring position. Kaity Stocker (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) flew out to deep left field for Bush to score from third to make it 2-0.
- The Golden Knights would add another run after Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) doubled before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lindsay Schmidt (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillian). A hit up the middle by Bush would bring home Ryan to lead 3-0 in the fourth.
- Kaity Stocker (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) would record the final run of the game as the senior hit her 10th homer of the season into opposite field.
GAME NOTES
- Game two marks Gannon's seventh shutout of the season as the Knights tallied six hits against IUP.
- Bush went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead GU while Stocker drove in two runs.
- Kristina DeMatteis (Boyers, Pa./Moniteau) drew three of Gannon's six walks for a new season high.
- Rebecca Tatone (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) improved to 9-2 on the season as she recorded her second shutout of the season allowing just three hits with six strikeouts.
- With her 10th homer of the season, Stocker records her 33rd career home run to advance her lead in the program's all-time records.
UP NEXT
- The Golden Knights return to action on April 29 as they finish the regular season with a PSAC series against Pitt-Johnstown. The series opener is set for 2:30 p.m. at McConnell Family Stadium on Thursday.
PSAC Championships are scheduled to begin May 5 with the championship game set for May 15.
