Jake Black's 8 shutout innings propel IUP baseball to Division II College World Series semifinals

Jake Black allowed two hits over eight shutout innings, and Elijah Dunn’s RBI single helped lift IUP to a 1-0 victory over Point Loma (Calif.) in a Division II College World Series elimination game Wednesday in Cary, N.C.

No. 5-seeded IUP (40-17), now one of the final four teams remaining in the World Series, will play defending national champion Angelo State at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Congratulations to @IUPCrimsonHawk! The Crimson Hawks will be making their first appearance in the #D2BSB Championship semifinal on Thursday, June 6, against @angeloathletics at 11:00 a.m. ET.

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— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) June 5, 2024

The lone run came in the first inning when Dunn ripped a ball into left field for an RBI single to score infielder Harrison Pontoli, who had singled earlier in the inning. Black then took over, keeping Point Loma hitless through four innings and striking out four batters before giving way to Bryce Devan, who closed the game in the ninth inning.

IUP’s defense stepped up when necessary to put a stop to any Sea Lions threat, including Pontoli’s web gem to end the bottom of the eighth.

Harrison Pontoli helped close out a shutout for Jake Black and the Crimson Hawks with this diving catch to finish out the eighth inning. #SCTop10 @SportsCenter #TalonsUp

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— IUP Athletics (@IUPCrimsonHawk) June 5, 2024

No. 4 Point Loma (46-13-1) defeated IUP, 2-1, in the opening round. The Crimson Hawks rebounded with back-to-back wins to reach the semifinals.