SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University softball team was neutralized at the plate by No. 24 IUP in the third game of the PSAC Softball Championships on a breezy Thursday afternoon from Robb Field, dropping an 8-0 decision in five innings to the Crimson Hawks.

Shippensburg (28-12), deemed the visiting team in the contest after a pre-game coin flip, drew four walks and got a fifth-inning double from sophomore Jenn Deardorff – the only extra-base hit in the game by either team.

SU simply could not solve the riddle that was IUP senior Erin Holloway – who struck out 13 batters in a complete-game effort.

Junior Chelsea Kendall, who threw seven innings against Mercyhurst in the preceding game, struck out six batters in the contest but had some troubles in the third inning after a comebacker slammed off her leg. The Crimson Hawks ended up plating five runs in the inning – all with two outs – and never looked back after gaining the offensive advantage.

Kendall was replaced in the fourth inning by junior Emily Parkins. Between the two games, Kendall struck out 10 batters in 10 innings of work.

Senior Hope Cornell drew a walk in both of her plate appearances against Holloway and reached base four times between the two games. Seniors Jill Mullan and Courtney Steele also drew free passes.

Due to a forecast of inclement weather, the start time of Friday's game between the Raiders and the Crimson Hawks has been moved to 10 a.m., with a second game to follow immediately afterward if necessary. Shippensburg will need to beat the Crimson Hawks twice on Friday to advance to next week's final round of the PSAC Tournament.