April 19, 2008
CLARION - Caitlin Lamison's first career home run and RBIs helped the Clarion University softball team erase a 5-0 Game Two deficit to IUP Saturday, but the Crimson Hawks still pulled out the victory when they scored three times in the top of the eighth to get an 8-5 win at Memorial Field.
The extra-innings win allowed IUP to sweep the doubleheader. The Crimson Hawks took Game One 10-0 in six-innings with Erin Holloway throwing a no-hitter.
Things looked to be heading in the same direction in Game Two when IUP (15-21 overall, 11-5 PSAC-West) jumped out to a 5-0 lead at the end of 4 ½ innings.
But Clarion (3-24, 0-16) started to rally in the bottom of the fifth getting RBI doubles from Kara Kelosky and Carlie Cook to cut the deficit to 5-2.
Then in the sixth, Marissa Myers drew a leadoff walk, and Dana Johnson was safe on a fielder's choice with pinch runner Corinna Sternthal reaching second safely as well. That brought up Lamison, who up to that point had 12 career at bats and one career hit and no RBIs in two seasons and was 0-for-7 this season including 0-for-1 Saturday. But the Golden Eagle pitcher came through in a big way belting a three-run home run to leftfield tying the game at 5-5.
Clarion then had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh when Cook doubled with one out. But Suzie DeNillo struck out, and Myers popped out ending the threat.
IUP then plated three runs in the top of the eighth including one unearned run to take an 8-5 lead, and Clarion was retired in order in the bottom of the inning.
Lamison took the loss going eight innings and allowing eight runs, only four earned, on 12 hits and three walks. She hit a batter and struck out four.
Cook was 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Clarion offense.
In Game One, IUP scored single runs in each of the first three innings and then added two more in the fourth and five in the sixth to eight-run rule Clarion 10-0.
Valorie Rankin took the loss going five innings and allowing seven runs, six earned, on nine hits and three walks. Lindsay Vevers relieved in went one inning allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits and a walk. She struck out one.
Clarion returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Gannon in a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m.
