Boxscore

Erin Holloway (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) pitched a one-hitter and struck out 11 and Monica Iachini (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) had two hits and scored both IUP runs in a 2-0 victory over West Chester in the first game of the PSAC championship series Friday at Kutztown.

The Golden Rams then stayed alive in the tournament with a 2-0 win over host Kutztown in the second game. IUP takes on Kutztown in the final game of the opening day and can eliminate the top-seeded Golden Bears.

The win over West Chester moves IUP within two victories of the first PSAC softball title in school history. The Crimson Hawks, ranked No. 17 in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, improved to 31-6 on the season

Holloway earned her 20th win of the season against only three losses and took a no-hitter into the sixth before Erin MacNamee doubled with two outs. Holloway issued a walk to the next batter before striking out Abby Block to end the inning. She then retired the side in order in the seventh to wrap up the victory.

Holloway has struck out 38 batters and allowed only one unearned run in four PSAC tournament games, including three wins last week in the semifinal round. She increased her school-record totals to 71 wins, 96 complete games, 30 shutouts and 939 strikeouts.

IUP got the only run Holloway would need in the fourth when Iachini singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dee Eppinger (North Wales, Pa./North Penn) and third on an error and scored on a double by Megan McCormick (Evans City/Seneca Valley).

Iachini reached on a bunt single, stole second and scored on a Marissa Leslie (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) single in the fifth to give the Crimson Hawks an insurance run.