Houghton, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team returned to action on Tuesday, as they took on Houghton in their final doubleheader before their Spring Break trip to Fort, Myers, Fla. The Panthers struggled to get their offense started, and their opponents took advantage of the Panthers' miscues, leading to a sweep. Pitt-Bradford lost the opener 6-0 and then the nightcap 5-1.
Game 1:
The opening game of the doubleheader saw the Panthers put runners on base in nearly every inning but were unable to come through with a clutch hit to drive in a run.
Andrew Bokulich singled in the first but was left on base after the next two batters flew out to deep center. Bret Babcock led off the second inning with a double to deep left field but was left stranded at 2nd as the next two batters grounded out and Kyle Kimoto's line drive back through the box was snagged by the pitcher.
Collin Porter started the game for the Panthers, and got off to a strong start, quickly retiring 6 of the first 7 batters he faced. After the Panthers stranded Noah Avey on base following a single and a stolen base, Porter ran into trouble and was not able to finish the inning. He walked the leadoff batter, and quickly saw the runner move to third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. He struck out the first batter he faced with the runner on third but then could not make the throw to first on a soft chopper in the infield, throwing it away to allow the run to score. The Highlanders loaded the bases when Porter hit the next two batters with a pitch, and then doubled their lead on a passed ball. Porter got the next batter out on a line drive to short but then allowed 3 more runs to score on a single, a double steal, and an RBI triple. After the triple, he was relieved by Maddox Stadler, who retired the first batter he faced on a comeback groundout.
In the fourth, a 6-4-3 double play erased a leadoff walk for Maxwell Rogers. Blake Prestash followed with a double down the left field line, but could not score as the inning ended on a fly out to right two batters later. Stadler made quick work of the Highlanders in the 4th, quickly retiring the first two batters of the inning and then getting some help as his batterymate Evan Fragela threw out a runner trying to steal after a single.
Pitt-Bradford left a runner stranded in scoring position once again in the 5th, and Stadler was able to keep the deficit at 5 with a quick inning in the bottom half.
The Panthers threatened again in the 6th, as Rogers and Babcock both hit singles to start the inning. they were not able to advance any further, as the next three Panthers were retired in order. Stadler ran into trouble in the bottom of the inning and was replaced by Garrett Smith with runners on 2nd and 3rd and 0 outs. Smith allowed one inherited runner to score on an RBI groundout but then got the next two batters to pop up and strike out to end the frame. Pitt-Bradford went down in order in the 7th to bring the game to an end.
Collin Porter (0-1) got the loss after allowing 5 unearned runs on 2 hits, 1 walk and 3 hit batters in 2.2 innings of work. He struck out 1. Maddox Stadler pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits with 1 strikeout. Garrett Smith pitched the final inning, retiring all three batters he faced with one strikeout. Bret Babcock led the Panthers offensively, going 2 for 3 with a double. Noah Avey also had two singles in the loss.
Game 2:
The second game of the day seemed to start on the right foot, as Nico Hall led off the game with a single and a batter later stole second base. Fortunes quickly turned for the Panthers, as Hall was caught out on a fielder's choice and the inning ended shortly after. Jacob Sherdel started the game on the mound for the Panthers, and after he retired the leadoff batter, quickly ran into trouble as the hosts put runners on the corners with a bunt single paired with an error, a walk, and a fielder's choice. Sherdel was unable to get out of the jam unscathed as Houghton hit back-to-back singles to take a 2-0 lead.
Pitt-Bradford went down quietly in the second, and Houghton maintained their momentum and added three more runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Highlanders quickly put runners on the corners, but the Panthers were able to slow the rally slightly. foiling a double steal attempt to get the first out of the frame at the plate. It did not end the threat, however, as Houghton loaded the bases with a walk, and an infield single. They were able to force in their third run of the game on a bases-loaded walk and then scored again on a balk. They pushed their lead to 5 with a sacrifice fly. Sherdel was nearly able to finish the inning, but his strikeout in the dirt resulted in the batter reaching base. He was then replaced by Mallick Metcalfe, who quickly ended the inning with a fly ball to right.
The Panthers were retired in order in the third and quickly in the 4th, but Metcalfe was able to keep Houghton off the board. In both innings, he allowed a pair of runners to reach base but was able to escape the jam without further damage.
In the 5th, the Panthers recorded their first hit since Hall's leadoff single as Logan McConnell drove a double into the gap in right-center. The Panthers looked like they would begin to cut into the lead as Noah Avey hit a line drive up the middle, but his effort was snagged by an outstretched second baseman, who was able to flip to second base to end the inning with a double play. Joe Long replaced Metcalfe in the bottom of the 5th and worked around a single and a stolen base to keep the deficit at 5.
Pitt-Bradford went down quietly again in the 6th, but Long quickly worked through the Houghton order to post another zero in the frame.
The Panthers were finally able to break through in the 7th, despite not being able to register a hit. Rogers and Babcock reached on free passes to start the frame, but the Panthers hit into their third double play in as many innings to scupper the rally. Rogers was able to scamper home on a passed ball after Alex Ognen drew a walk. McConnell drew the 4th free pass of the inning to extend the game but was retired on a fielder's choice on the next at-bat to end the contest.
Jacob Sherdel (1-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 1.2 innings pitched. He struck out one. Mallick Metcalfe and Joe Long both had scoreless multi-inning relief performances. Metcalfe lasted 2.1 innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 2 batters. Long went 2 innings, allowing just 2 hits while tallying 4 strikeouts. Offensively, the Panthers were only able to record 2 hits in the loss. Logan McConnell hit a double and also reached on a walk, while Nico Hall had a single and a stolen base.
The Panthers fall to 3-4 on the season after the sweep. They will take the rest of the week to regroup, before returning to action over Spring Break. Pitt-Bradford will travel to Fort, Myers, Fla. where they will play 8 games in 6 days. They will begin with a doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran on Sunday, March 10th. First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.
