"Play Ball!" Monday's PSAC West doubleheader with IUP at McConnell Family Stadium was the first time since March 3, the Golden Knights had heard that phrase.
The Crimson Hawks posted a 5-3 nine-inning victory off a two-out, two-run home run, to grab the game one win, while the Golden Knights secured the nightcap, 7-4.
The twinbill marked the PSAC opener for both squads as the Golden Knights' moved to 6-6 overall, while IUP sits at 15-7 for the year.
Game 1, L, 5-3 (Nine Innings)
- IUP got the scoring started off a single to center field to jump ahead, 1-0.
- Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) evened the score 1-1 off a solo home run to center field.
- The Crimson Hawks regained the lead in the third, off a single to center field to make it 2-0.
- The Golden Knights retaliated back in the bottom half of the third off an RBI double from Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) to knot the score up, 2-2.
- A Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) sac fly to left field saw the Golden Knights pull ahead 3-2.
- IUP tied the contest in the fifth off a single to left field.
- After three scoreless innings, IUP plated what would be the two winning runs in the top of the ninth off a two-run home run to claim the 5-3, extra-inning victory.
Inside the Numbers
- The Golden Knights finished with three runs off nine hits.
- Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) fired five strikeouts in nine innings of action. The senior hurler tossed 173 pitches, and allowed five runs off 12 hits.
- Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) finished the contest with a 2-for-3 effort highlighted by a home run. She also added a run as well.
- Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) and Abbey Girman (Bridgeville, Pa./South Fayette) also contributed two hits to the contest. Clontz finished with an RBI, while Girman added a run.
- Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) added an RBI, while Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong), Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East), and Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) added a hit to round of the Golden Knight offensive effort.
Game 2, W, 7-4
- After two scoreless innings, the Crimson Hawks plated two runs of the game off a two-run RBI single to center field.
- Whipkey again stepped up to the plate and tied the game up, this time in the bottom half of the third inning off a two-run shot to even the score, 2-2.
- An Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) three-run blast extended the Golden Knight lead, 7-2.
- IUP looked to get a late rally going in the seventh after a two-run RBI double to left field trimmed the Golden Knight lead, 7-4, but behind key defensive stops, Gannon hung on to earn the game two victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Gannon plated seven runs off six hits.
- Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) earned the victory on the mound after tossing four strikeouts in seven innings of action.
- Emma Smerick (Ford City, Pa./Armstrong) led the offensive surge with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) notched her second home run of the day and knocked in two RBIs.
- Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) added a hit and two RBIs.
- Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) added a hit and run scored while Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) tallied a hit to conclude the Golden Knights' offensive effort.
Up Next
The Golden Knights are back in action on Thursday, March 28, when Gannon hosts Pitt-Johnstown in a PSAC matchup. Game one of the twinbill is set to start at 2:00 p.m. at McConnell Family Stadium.