Harrisonburg, Va. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team got their 2024 campaign started with a win as they used a 7th-inning rally to defeat Eastern Mennonite 7-5.
The Panthers fell behind early, as they struggled to find their footing at the plate in the first few innings. In the first, the Panthers went down in order, and then quickly found themselves in a 2-0 hole. The hosts were able to score twice in the top of the first, taking advantage of a pair of Panther errors in the frame. Starting pitcher Krislyn Clement was able to limit the damage, as she did not give up a hit in the frame.
After a quiet 2nd frame, the Panthers rallied with one out in the 3rd to jump ahead of the Royals. Anna Bokulich, Lexi Najdusak, and Faith McLaughlin all drew consecutive walks to load the bases before freshman Miranda Groll delivered the Panthers' first hit of the season, clearing the bases with a double to the gap in left-center. Groll took third on a throw to the plate on the play and then scored a batter later as LExi Peters delivered a sacrifice fly to right to put the Panthers ahead 4-2.
Despite a leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning, Clement was able to work around two more hits in the inning to keep the Panthers ahead. The Royals tied the game an inning later, using a leadoff triple and a sacrifice fly to score the run. Following another 1-2-3 inning from the Panthers in the 5th, Eastern Mennonite went in front, taking advantage of another Panther miscue to take the lead. After a throwing error put a runner on 2nd with one out, the Royals brought in the run with a single down the left field line.
Neither team forced any action in the 6th inning, setting up a thrilling finish in the 7th. Lilly Hamels led off the frame, dropping a single into right center. After a pop-up in the infield, Ciera Adams delivered a clutch double into left-center to bring pinch-runner Lauren Frascella around to score and tie the game at 5. A batter later, the Panthers went in front when Lexi Najdusak singled into left field with two outs to bring in another pinch runner, Morgan Maybee. Najdusak took second base on the play as the Royals threw to the plate. She moved to third on a passed ball as McLaughlin drew a walk and then scored when Groll beat out an infield single to give the Panthers an insurance run heading into the bottom of the 7th.
In the final frame, Clement struggled to maintain her control, walking two batters around a fielder's choice ground ball to put the tying run on base. The Panthers went to the bullpen as Sandra Watne entered the game to shut the door. Watne needed just four pitches to end the game as she induced a pop-up to first with her first pitch and then struck the next batter out in 3 pitches to end the game.
Krislyn Clement (1-0) picked up the win for the Panthers. She pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 5 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits and 4 walks. Sandra Watne threw the final .2 innings to earn the save, striking out one. Miranda Groll led the Panthers at the plate, finishing 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs. Lexi Najdusak was 1 for 2 with a pair of runs scored and the go-ahead RBI and Ciera Adams was 1 for 3 with the game-tying double. Lexi Peters drove in the other run for Pitt-Bradford with a sacrifice fly.
The Panthers were only able to play one game on the day, as the 2nd game of the double weather was canceled due to inclement weather. The Panthers will be right back in action tomorrow, as they will take on Roanoke in a doubleheader, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
