Salem, Va. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team was back in action for the second consecutive day on Sunday as they wrapped up their season-opening trip to Virginia. The Panthers took on Roanoke, dropping both games to the Maroons. They fell in the opener 7-5 and then dropped game two 8-0 in 5 innings.
Game One
The opening game of the day saw the Panthers fall behind the Maroons early, and then come up just short as they rallied in the 7th.
Bri Heller took the circle for Pitt-Bradford and ran into trouble early, allowing a pair of runs to score on 2 hits and a walk. She settled down and made quick work of the hosts in the 2nd before the Panthers had their first opportunity to score in the third.
Ciera Adams started the inning by reaching on an error and then moved to third when Faith McLaughlin doubled to left center. The Panthers were unable to come through with the big hit, as the next two batters were retired on a shallow fly ball and a grounder to short.
Over the next two innings, Roanoke was able to extend their lead to 5, using a one-out double in the 3rd and a two-out, two-run single in the 4th.
In the 5th, the Panthers were able to bring in a run with a two-out rally. Lexi Najdusak drove a single into centerfield and then was able to score all the way from first when Faith McLaughlin's single was misplayed in right field. The Panthers were unable to keep the deficit at 4 in the bottom half of the inning. The Maroons were able to restore the 5-run margin on a bases-loaded infield single with two outs. An inning later, they added their 7th run on a passed ball.
As they did in their season opener, the Panthers put together a rally in the 7th. They loaded the bases with three straight singles from Adams, Najdusak, and McLaughlin, and then following a strikeout, scored two when Lexi Peters singled into left field. The Panthers added two more runs on a passed ball and a wild pitch, but after bringing the tying run to the plate with a walk, saw their rally end with a strikeout.
Bri Heller (0-1) picked up the loss after allowing 6 earned runs over 6.0 innings of work. She struck out 5. Faith McLaughlin led the offensive effort for the Panthers, finishing 3 for 4 with a run scored and one driven in. Lexi Peters was 2 for 4 in the game with 2 RBIs and Lexi NAjdusak went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored.
Game Two
The Panthers struggled to find their footing offensively in game two, as they were limited to just one hit in the 8-0 loss.
Sandra Watne started the game for Pitt-Bradford, and quickly found herself in a deficit, as the Maroons scored once before an out could be recorded with a triple and a single. The hosts later loaded the bases, but Watne was able to escape the jam without further damage.
The Panthers went down in order in the second, and the Maroons continued building momentum as they consecutively strung together a walk, 2 singles, and 2 doubles to quickly score 4 times. Watne was able to get two infield popups after the final hit to end the inning.
The Panthers put a pair of runners on in the third, as Lizzy Hoovler and NAjdusak each drew a walk, but both Panther runners were also caught stealing to end the threat. Roanoke added to their lead again in the bottom half, hitting a 2-run home run to right field.
In the 4th, Peters was able to pick up the Panthers' first hit, singling into left center, but her hit was quickly replaced with an inning-ending double play. Krislyn Clement replaced Watne in the 4th and was able to post the Panthers' first 0 on the scoreboard, working around a single to retire the side.
Pitt-Bradford was retired in order in the 5th and then saw the game come to an early end in the bottom half. Clement retired the leadoff batter but then allowed a double and a single to allow the Maroons' 8th run of the game to end the contest.
Sandra Watne (0-1) picked up the loss after allowing 7 earned runs on 7 hits in 3.0 innings. Krisyln Clement pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing 1 run, while striking out 1. Lexi Peters had the lone hit of the game for Pitt-Bradford, a single to left center.
The Sweep drops the Panthers to 1-2 on the season. They will take the next two weeks off, before returning to action over Spring Break. Their next game will be on MArch 10th, when the Panthers take on North Central to open their spring break trip to Fort Myers, Fla.
