District college notebook: Heder steps down at IUP; Judy breaks another record at Gannon

After two decades on the sidelines, IUP women’s soccer coach Adel Heder is retiring.

A former Kiski Area boys soccer coach from 1987-2001, Heder guided the IUP program since ‘01.

His overall record of 220-139-24 is the best in program history and he led the Crimson Hawks to two regular-season division titles, a PSAC title and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

“I believe we built a very competitive soccer program not just within the PSAC, but also the region,” Heder said. “I am incredibly proud of all my players — not only what they accomplished on the field, but also their successes in the classroom and in life. I will miss all of them tremendously and I thank them for everything they have given me and taught me over the years. I will miss the recruiting, building our program and the competition. But it is my time to step away.”

Heder guided IUP to a PSAC championship in 2004, and led the program to the conference finals in ‘06 and ‘08.

The trio of NCAA trips came in 2004, ‘06 and ‘09.

When Heder took over, IUP went from a 7-10 team to a 12-4-1 squad and made the PSAC Tournament.

Heder coached his two daughters at IUP in Crystal and Viann.

He is a Pennsylvania West Soccer Youth Hall of Fame inductee.

Judy breaks record

Redshirt senior pitcher Deven Judy, a Belle Vernon graduate, became the all-time wins leader at Gannon with his 21st victory, 2-1, at Pitt-Johnstown on Thursday.

He broke the old mark held by Josh Leslie, who pitched from 2002-06.

Judy, a right-hander, was an NCBWA preseason honorable mention All-Atlantic Region selection.

Earlier this year, he broke the school record for career strikeouts, which stands at 303.

He recently set a single-game mark with 12 strikeouts against Clarion and posted his sixth shutout, also a record.

His career innings-pitched total of 251.1 also is tops in the program.

He is also fifth in games started (40), fifth in complete games (14) and sixth in appearances (50). In eight games his season, he is 6-1 with a 3.76 ERA with 61 Ks in 55 innings. He has 13 walks.

Bombs away for Cleland

Power-hitting freshman Brooke Cleland hit her second homer in as many days for Seton Hill at the PSAC Tournament in Quakertown.

After hitting a three-run shot Wednesday, the former Penn-Trafford slugger did the same thing Thursday in a 12-0 win over IUP in an elimination game.

Cleland went 3 for 4 with four RBIs in the win.

The Griffins (36-10) lost the next game, 8-3, and were eliminated from the tournament.

They will now await for Monday’s 10 a.m. announcement to see if they make the NCAA Tournament field.

Dillner delivers

Saint Vincent sophomore left fielder Alex Dillner, a Norwin graduate, delivered the game-winning single in the eighth inning as the Bearcats stayed alive in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3-2 victory over Bethany.

Saint Vincent will play again in the losers bracket at 11 a.m. Saturday against Waynesburg.

Friday’s games were moved back a day due to forecasted rain.