Slippery Rock softball picked up a pair of PSAC-West victories over the University of Pitt-Johnstown on Friday, taking game one in a pitcher’s duel before winning a wild slugfest in game two. The doubleheader marked the start of PSAC-West conference play for SRU.
Game one
Alexsa Hurd was dominant in the circle and at the plate, leading The Rock to a 5-1 victory.
Hurd spun a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out 12 batters.
Despite being held scoreless through six innings, The Rock’s offense erupted for five runs in
the seventh. Hurd launched a grand slam to left, while Julia Nutter added an RBI double.
The Rock closed the game 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Game two
Slippery Rock’s high-powered offense was on display against Pitt-Johnstown in game 2,
with a score of 18-14, the highest-scoring game in program history over the last 48 years.
The Rock’s bats ignited early with a grand slam from Nutter in the first inning to take a 4-0
lead. The Mountain Cats responded with a five-run third inning to go up 7-4, but The Rock
regained control with timely hitting in the fourth and fifth innings.
Slippery Rock put up six runs in the sixth, highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Shaylyn Shall and a two-run homer from Jessica Goldhardt. Hurd capped her stellar day with a five-hit performance and three RBIs.
Pitt-Johnstown made a late push, scoring six in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to
16-14. Slippery Rock added two insurance runs in the seventh before Hurd returned to the
circle and struck out the side to secure the win.
With the victories, The Rock improves to 8-12 overall and 2-0 in PSAC-West play.
Slippery Rock continues their road trip on Tuesday, traveling for a doubleheader
against Gannon University. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
