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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University softball team settled for a doubleheader split with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division leading Indiana (Pa.) from the SRU Softball Complex Sunday afternoon.

In the opener, the Crimson Hawks took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run home run from Hannah Mercer. From there, it was all Slippery Rock.

Junior Taylor Welch tied the game in the second with a two-out, two RBI double to left center, before freshman catcher McKenzie Popatak sent a two-run blast over the right center wall in the fourth to give The Rock a 4-2 lead.

With the bases loaded in the fifth, Popatak smashed a two RBI single up the middle to push the lead to 6-2. Junior Alaynna Beers followed with a towering three-run shot over the left field fence to give Slippery Rock a 9-2 advantage. Sophomore Megan Maloney gave The Rock a walk-off 10-2 victory with an RBI single up the middle.

Senior Emily Lobdell continued her strong spring to pick up the win and improve to 5-3 on the season. Lobdell cruised after allowing two runs in the first, limiting the Crimson Hawks to just two hits and striking out five over her next four innings.

Popatak's impressive freshman campaign continued as she went two for three with a home run and four RBI. Beers broke out with two hits in three at bats with a home run and three RBI. Senior Breanna Tongel was two for two with two runs, sophomore Katie Kaiser was two for three with two runs and Welch went one for three with two RBI.

The Rock and IUP were locked in a pitcher's duel in the nightcap. Amanda Splinder held The Rock scoreless through the first three innings, as Lobdell started her second game of the day and returned the favor by shutting out IUP.

Jasa Mitchell put the Crimson Hawks ahead with a solo blast to left in the fourth, but sophomore Ashley Samluk answered with a solo blast to straightaway center in the bottom of the inning for The Rock to knot the game at 1-1.

Slippery Rock and IUP took a 1-1 tie into the seventh, before the Crimson Hawks embarked on a six run two out rally to take a 7-1 lead and control of the game. The Rock picked up a pair of hits in the bottom of the frame, but was unable to overcome the deficit and fell 7-1.

Lobdell made her second start of the day and picked up the no decision after allowing one run on three hits in five innings of work. Freshman Carly DeRose was tagged for six runs in 1.2 innings to pick up the loss and drop to 3-6 on the season.

Samluk went one for three and belted her fifth home run of the spring to lead the Slippery Rock offense, while Jasa Mitchell went three for four with two home runs to pace the Crimson Hawks.

Slippery Rock entered Sunday's doubleheader in third place of the PSAC-West and move to 4-2 in the conference after the split. IUP received its first conference loss of the season, but remain on top of the PSAC-West at 6-1.

The Rock returns to PSAC-West action Monday, April 7 against Edinboro. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the SRU Softball Complex.