Jeremiah Williams and two relievers shut down the Millersville lineup and IUP shocked the Marauders in the first round of the PSAC Championship Tournament yesterday, 8-1. The Crimson Hawks broke open the game with five runs in the 4th inning, making it 7-0 at that point. They added a run in the run in the fifth before Millersville scored its only run in the 8th. Millersville had not failed to advance beyond the first round of the tournament since 2012 and was number one in the latest Division II Atlantic Region rankings at 40-7.
Williams threw five-and-two-thirds scoreless innings, striking out five and giving up five hits and two walks. Sean Furlong and Jason Madrak combined for the final three-and-a-third innings on the mound, striking out five and giving up one unearned run.
Zach Miller was 3-for-5, Torrey Roper has two singles, and Indiana native Branden Kanick had a double and single. Markus Cestra doubled and had a sacrifice fly. Eight IUP players had hits and all nine batters reached base.
With the win, IUP survives the one-game elimination round and moves to the double elimination portion of the tournament. They will play West Chester today at 1:30 at Slippery Rock.
