Derek Baker shot a 1-under 141 to tie for second place overall and helped lead IUP to a first-place showing at the Senator Shootout golf tournament hosted by Davis & Elkins at the Lakeview Golf Resort. It was the first action for the Crimson Hawks this fall.

The Crimson Hawks finished with a team score of 583, eight strokes ahead of Davis & Elkins, in the two-day event.

Baker was named this week's top player in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Zack Kempa was IUP's second-place finisher, shooting a 1-over 145, and Jack Owen was third with a 3-over 147. Newcomers Kenny Sames and Colton Wiggins shot a 158 and 161, respectively.

IUP is back in action this weekend at Clarion's Hal Hansen Invitational.

FIELD HOCKEY: Superb defense and goals from five players were keys to success as the eighth-ranked Crimson Hawks rolled to a 6-2 victory over Mercyhurst in the team's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and home opener Wednesday.

Newcomer Nicole Bruce opened the scoring by pounding in a rebound from her own shot just 2:56 into the game. Goalkeeper Sarah Lemieux allowed one goal in 35 minutes of action.

Bruce finished with a goal and two assists. Brittany Varacallo made four saves in the second half.

IUP plays host to Millersville at 1 p.m. Saturday in its inaugural "Black Out" game at Miller Stadium.

SOCCER: Sharee McCarty's goal in the 13th minute knotted the score at 1-1, but West Chester quickly responded, shutting out IUP the rest of the way in a 3-1 win in the conference opener for both teams on Wednesday at South Campus Field.

Mara Hricik made four saves in goal.

IUP plays at Alderson-Broaddus on Saturday.