ELKINS, W.Va. — The IUP baseball team had an impressive outing against Davis & Elkins, winning 20-2. It was a day of strong offense, with 12 players contributing to the score. They racked up 24 hits, showcasing their batting power with eight doubles and two home runs.
This victory brought IUP’s win streak to five games, bringing their season record to 12-19.
The game took off in the second inning when Cayden Bender drew a walk. Teague Hoover followed with a well-placed double to left. Ricardo Aponte then doubled as well, driving in two runs, putting IUP ahead 2-0.
Davis & Elkins managed to score two runs in the bottom of the third, but it was IUP’s hitting that stole the show. After that, the Hawks went on a remarkable 18-run streak.
In the fourth inning, IUP scored five runs on four hits. Hoover was hit by a pitch, and after Au’sean Owens got on base with a single, he stole second. Hoover scored when Aponte hit a sacrifice fly to center. Hits from Mitchell Grosch and Mike Huber added more runs, capped off by a homer from Elijah Dunn, giving IUP a comfortable lead.
As the game moved into the fifth inning, Owens scored again on Aponte’s single. IUP’s momentum just kept building. In the sixth, Huber advanced after a single and two stolen bases, scoring on a catcher’s error. Peyton Johnson also got on base and scored, thanks to Bender’s RBI hit.
In the seventh inning, IUP ignited the scoreboard for four more runs. Owens, Mateo Cepullio, Branden Kanick, and Gardner Fravel all crossed home plate.
The eighth inning saw hits from Cepullio and Fravel leading to a run driven in by Nizeah Mummert. Davin Landers ended the inning on a high note, hitting a home run and bringing in Fravel.
In the final inning, IUP tallied two more runs with Carfagno and Cepullio advancing from Fravel’s single, with Mummert and Landers contributing to the score as well.
This game underscores the team’s growth as they continue to improve this season. As the landscape of college baseball evolves, it highlights the importance of teamwork and consistent effort. Trends show that college teams with strong offensive strategies often perform better when facing challenging opponents.
Up next, IUP will take on Clarion University at home on April 11. The anticipation is high as fans look forward to another exciting match!