Erie, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team lost their first games of the young season on Wednesday, as they were swept by AMCC opponent Penn State-Behrend. The Panthers lost the first game in 6 innings 10-2, and despite coming back to tie the game in the 7th in the nightcap, fell in walk-off fashion 8-7.

Game 1:

• The opening game of the doubleheader got off to a rough start for the Panthers. After going down in order in their half of the first, Starting pitcher Kerrigan Hoffmann was quickly tagged for 4 runs in the bottom of the inning, on 5 Lion hits.
• The trend continued in the second inning, as a double play erased a base runner in the top of the inning. In the home half, Hoffmann was replaced after allowing two hits to begin the inning. She was replaced by Abby Hinkley, who saw the inherited runners score on RBI groundouts, but did not allow the hosts to add more.
• The Panthers were able to get one back in the third. Mackenzie Bonyak reached with a one-out single and then was replaced on the bases by Dolcey Shunk on a fielder's choice. Shunk advanced to third when Gabby Carpenter singled up the middle and was aided by bobble at second base. The Panthers then pulled off a successful double steal to bring Shunk home.
• The Lions were able to get one back right away as the first two batters reached on a single and a double to score the 7th run. The Lions could have done more damage, but Bonyak threw out a runner at third base and the Panthers picked off a second runner at third base.
• Following an 8th Lion run in the fourth, the Panthers were able to score a second. Shunk hit a one-out single up the middle to start the rally. She then stole second base and moved to third on another hit by Carpenter. Chloe Cordova drove the run in with an RBI groundout.
• The Lions were able to tack on two final runs in the 6th to bring the game to an early finish.
• Hoffmann picks up the loss after a rough day in the circle. she allowed 6 earned runs with 1.0+ innings pitched.
• Abby Hinkley pitched the remaining 4 and 1/3, allowing 4 runs, 3 earned on 8 hits. She struck out one batter.
• Offensively, Carpenter, Hannah Lathrop, and Lexi Peters all went 2 for 3. 
• Shunk finished the game 1 for 2 with 2 stolen bases and 2 runs scored.

Game 2:

• The Panthers got off to a much faster start in the second game of the day, scoring a run in the first inning. Carpenter led off the game and was hit by a pitch. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and single by Faith McLaughlin. She scored when Hannah Lathrop hit a groundball to the pitcher and reached on an error.
• Jordan Uhing pitched the second game for the Panthers and struggled against the potent Penn State-Behrend offense. The early lead was erased in the first inning when the Lions scored on two singles, a walk, and an RBI groundout. The inning could have been longer, but a two-out single up the middle struck the runner at second for the final out.
• Pitt-Bradford was able to retake the lead in the 3rd. Carpenter led off with another single, and the Panthers loaded the bases with two more singles from Faith McLaughlin and Lexi Peters. Chloe Cordova came up with the big hit of the inning, driving a triple to right field to clear the bases.
• The Lions came back immediately in the bottom of the inning, using a single and back-to-back doubles to cut the deficit to one. Uhing was able to escape further damage, as she struck out two batters and got a third to pop up to end the inning.
• Penn State-Behrend completed their comeback in the 4th when they tagged Uhing for three more runs on 4 hits. They tacked on a 7th run in the 5th, using 2 hits and a hit batter. 
• Uhing kept the Lions silent in the 6th inning, allowing her team an opportunity to get back in the game, and they did not miss the chance. Rachel Przybysz drew a one-out walk and then advanced to second on a McLaughlin single. The Panthers loaded the bases a batter later when Hannah Lathrop reached on an error in the infield. 
• Freshman Lexi Peters came up with the big hit in the 7th. She drove a bases-clearing triple into the gap in right-center to tie the game at 7. With only one out, the Panthers had a chance to retake the lead but were unable to get the run across.
• The Panthers' momentum did not last long, as Penn State-Behrend led off the bottom of the 7th with a double to right-center. Following a sacrifice bunt, the winning run was driven home on a single to left.
• Jordan Uhing went the distance for the Panthers, allowing 8 earned runs in 6 and 1/3 innings. She struck out 2 batters and allowed 14 hits and 2 walks.
• Freshmen paced the offense for the Panthers as Faith McLaughlin and Lexi Peters combined to go 6 for 8 in the game. McLaughlin went a perfect 4 for 4. She scored 2 runs as well. Peters finished 2 for 4 in the game, including the game-tying triple.
• Lathrop, Carpenter, and Cordova all added hits in the game, with Cordova driving in three runs on her bases-clearing triple.

The Panthers fall to 6-2 after the loss, with a 4-2 record in AMCC play. They will look to return to winning ways on Saturday when they host Penn State-Altoona. Along with the AMCC doubleheader, the PAnthers will also celebrate Senior Day before the action.