Box Score

DRIFTON, PA - The Crimson Hawks put together yet another comeback victory, rallying from four runs down in the sixth inning to defeat Bloomsburg 10-9 as IUP won its second consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Softball Championship on Sunday afternoon at the ASA of PA Jake Kislan Softball Complex in Drifton.

The win was the second time in as many days that IUP defeated the Huskies, winning a 1-0 extra-inning pitcher's duel on Saturday.

The Crimson Hawks (29-12-1) twice fought back in the game, first falling behind 5-1 in the third, eventually making it a 6-5 deficit in the fifth. Bloomsburg then followed up with three runs in its half of the sixth to jump on top 9-5 before IUP rallied with an incredible five-run bottom half to take the one-run lead heading into the seventh.

After pitcher Alexa Campbell (Manheim/Manheim Central ) got two quick outs, including a strikeout of Chrissy Belko, who had homered earlier in the game, the Huskies got back-to-back singles and forced a walk to load the bases for Sam Pientack. Campbell then got Pientack, who also homered earlier in the game to set Bloomsburg's single season record, to swing through strike three, ending the game and starting the celebration for the now back-to-back champion Crimson Hawks.

For her efforts during the tournament, IUP shortstop Marissa Leslie (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) was named the 2012 PSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. Leslie went a combined 11-for-15 with two doubles, her first career homerun, two RBI and eight runs scored. Her key performance was during the 14-10 win over Lock Haven, going 5-for-5 with three runs scored. Her homerun came in her very first tournament at bat against West Chester, putting the first run on the board for IUP in that win.

IUP went an impressive 5-0 during the tournament, defeating West Chester, Cal, Lock Haven and Bloomsburg twice, teams with a combined 123 wins on the season. Rival Cal was also ranked 22nd in the nation and second in the Atlantic Region.

An RBI single got the scoring going for Bloomsburg in the first before Leslie scored from second when Jasa Mitchell (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle Area) reached on a two-out error by the Bloomsburg center fielder, tying the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless second, Bloomsburg took a four-run lead with a pair of homeruns in the third, including a three-run shot by Rachel Fredell and a solo homer by Belko. IUP got two of those runs back in the bottom half, as Leslie doubled to left center to lead off the inning followed by a free pass for Monica Iachini (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel). Mitchell then doubled to left, bringing both speedsters home to make it a 5-3 ballgame.

Bloomsburg increased its lead to three with a solo homer by Erika Yanora in the fourth, but IUP continued to keep the game close, scoring one of its own in the bottom half. Ashley Strack (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) led off the inning with a single through the left side, moving to second on a ground out and then to third on a single by Leslie. Megan McCormick (Evans City/Seneca Valley) then singled to third, scoring Strack.

One more run came for IUP in the fifth, as Tara Waldo (Pittsburgh/Baldwin) blasted a homerun to right field, cutting the Crimson Hawks deficit to 6-5 heading into the sixth.

That's when Bloomsburg took its four-run lead, getting a three-run homerun off the bat of Pientack put the Huskies on top 9-5. Campbell then entered the game in the circle, getting the final two outs of the inning to finish Bloomsburg's inning.

Down but not out, Leslie again led off the inning with a hit, moving to second on a wild pitch. Iachini walked to put two runners on before McCormick loaded the bases with an infield single, still with no outs. Two outs later, still with the bases loaded, Mary Ward (Hatfield/North Penn) hit a ground rule double, scoring both Iachini and McCormick to make it a 9-7 game. Strack then stepped up to the plate and cleared the bases, drilling a three-run homerun to center field to give IUP a 10-9 lead, setting up the final nail-biting inning for IUP.

The Crimson Hawks will now await word from the NCAA on where they will be seeded in the Atlantic Region tournament. IUP entered the PSAC tournament ranked seventh in the region, as eight teams - three conference champions and five at-large berths - advance to the opening round of the NCAA tournament. The selection show will air on NCAA.com at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 30.