Box Score

DRIFTON, PA - Kelly King (Nazareth/Bethlehem Catholic) allowed just one hit in eight innings of shutout ball as the IUP softball team defeated Bloomsburg 1-0 in extra innings to advance to the championship game of the 2012 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament.

Seven innings was not enough Sunday, as neither team was able to break through on the scoreboard until the bottom of the eighth inning, when the Crimson Hawks would finally put together a rally. Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) led off the inning with a single to center field, and Jen Beaver (Chester Springs/Owen J. Roberts) would follow with a bunt single to put two on with no outs.

With the game-winning run on second base, Amanda Segrist (Glenwood, MD/Glenelg) looked to advance the runners with a sacrifice bunt down the first base line. The Bloomsburg first baseman looked to go to third to force McCoy out at third, however her throw sailed in left field, allowing McCoy to come home and vault the Crimson Hawks into the PSAC championship game tomorrow afternoon.

Both King and Bloomsburg pitcher Cait Paine were absolutely marvelous in the circle, as neither pitcher allowed in earned run in 15 combined innings. King gave up just one hit and struck out six in the shutout, while Paine allowed just three hits and fanned 18 in the loss.

Bloomsburg's only hit in the game came in the top of the third inning when Chrissy Belko singled up the middle to lead off the inning, but King retired the next three batters in the inning and 18 overall to keep the Huskies off the scoreboard.

IUP was held hitless until the bottom of the sixth inning when Monica Iachini (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) laced a two-out double to left field, but the Crimson Hawks were unable to string together any hits until the eighth.

The Crimson Hawks will take on the winner of the Bloomsburg/Lock Haven elimination game this afternoon in the 2012 PSAC Championship Game tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.