INDIANA, Pa. — Fairmont State University (15-20) narrowly fell to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (20-15) in a dramatic 13–12 defeat on Tuesday.
The Falcons and the Crimson Hawks started the game evenly matched in the first inning.
Reilly Bubb singled to center field and eventually scored on an error, giving Fairmont State an early lead. Indiana responded with a run of its own, tying the game at 1-1 after one inning.
In the fourth inning, Fairmont State took control.
Drew Emrich was hit by a pitch, and after a series of bases-loaded scenarios,
Caleb Cottle scored on a wild pitch, followed by RBI contributions from Bubb and
Cameron Moore. This offensive burst gave the Falcons a 5–1 lead through four innings.
The Falcons added another run in the fifth inning when
Bryont Green walked, stole second, and scored on Emrich's single to center field. Indiana countered with a run of its own, making it 6–2 after five innings.
In the sixth inning, the Falcons extended their lead to 7–2 when Bubb scored on Green's RBI single. Indiana answered with a run, closing the inning at 7–3.
The Falcons tallied four runs in the seventh with Bubb's two-RBI double and Moore's two-RBI single. However, the Crimson Hawks launched a nine-run rally, highlighted by Anthony Diodata's three-RBI double, overtaking Fairmont State with a 12–11 lead through seven innings.
In the ninth inning,
Connor Bailey singled and was driven home by
Brayden Hampton's RBI triple. Despite the effort, Indiana added another run, securing a 13–12 victory over the Falcons in a tightly contested game.
Bubb led the offensive charge with three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs while scoring three times. Moore collected two hits and drove in three runs. Emrich successfully stole two bases and scored once. Bailey contributed by crossing the plate three times and adding a stolen base.
Fairmont State returns home to open a four-game series against Wheeling University. First pitch on Saturday, April 18 is set for 1:00 p.m.
