QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – Pitcher Alexa Campbell (Manheim/Manheim Central ) came up clutch as the Crimson Hawks faced elimination, tossing a complete game shutout to help IUP to a 4-0 win over Kutztown on the first day of the 2015 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Softball Championships on Thursday at Veterans Park.
 
In her 11th win of the year, Campbell gave up eight hits, didn't walk a single batter, and only allowed one Kutztown runner to reach third base in the seven innings.
 
Run support came early for Campbell, as the Crimson Hawks used a run-scoring ground out by Allison Viguers (West Chester/West Chester East) to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning. They then used three hits in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead, as Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) singled to left field, scoring Meghan Carney (Corry/Corry) from second base.
 
In the fourth, the Crimson Hawks loaded the bases with two outs on three straight singles by Taylor Mercurio (Pittsburgh/Seton-La Salle), Fairman, and Hannah Mercer (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg Area). IUP then took advantage of a fielding error by the Golden Bears and Mercurio and Fairman both crossed the plate to put the Crimson Hawks on top 4-0.
 
Just two runners reached second base for Kutztown the rest of the way as Campbell secured the win for IUP. Fairman finished 3-for-3 at the plate while Mercurio and Mercer each had two base hits.
 
The Crimson Hawks opened the tournament with a 6-5, nine-inning loss to PSAC East champion West Chester earlier in the day. IUP took a 3-0 lead in the opening inning when Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) blasted a home run over the fence in center field, scoring Mercer and Megan Gould (New Germany/Forest Hills).
 
West Chester scored two in the second, but Viguers gave IUP a 4-2 lead with a run-scoring ground out in the third inning. The Golden Rams sent the game to extra innings tied at 4-4 with runs in the fourth and sixth innings. IUP took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth with an RBI single by Mercer, however, West Chester answered with two runs without recording an out in the bottom half to earn the comeback win.
 
IUP collected eight hits in the game, including a 3-for-5 performance by Mercer. McCoy and Mercurio each had a pair of hits.
 
The Crimson Hawks advance to Friday where they will face another elimination again against the loser of Thursday night's matchup between California (Pa.) and Gannon. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk.