Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team returns to action on Wednesday, as they look to bounce back from two losses to Mount Aloysius earlier in the week.
The Panthers fell to the Mounties in the opener 6-3 and followed that with a 9-3 loss in the nightcap. Pitt-Bradford struggled to string hits together in both contests but were able to put up a 3-run frame in each game.
With Reid Tarnowski off to a strong start in game 1, the Panthers used 2 hits, an error and a walk to take a 3-2 lead in the 4th. Sam Dreistadt drove in the first run with an RBI single and Matt LaBadie came in with a clutch two-run double to the right-center gap to put the Panthers ahead. The Panthers did not hold the lead for long, as Mount Aloysius scored 4 runs in the following at-bat to retake a lead they would not relinquish.
Game two started in a similar fashion as the Mounties jumped ahead in the first, but the Panthers used another 3-run 4th to take a lead. After the Panthers loaded the bases with one out Bret Babcock lined a single through the right side to tie the game at 1. Pitt-Bradford reloaded the bases with an error in the field and Nick Stein pulled a single through the hole to score 2 more and put the Panthers ahead 3-1. Alex Fetter had a strong outing in his second start of the year but saw his lead slip away in the 6th. Fetter allowed 5 runs in the game, with only one being earned. He struck out 10 in 5 and 1/3.
Through 4 games, Sam Dreistadt has led the offense, posting a .364 batting average. Nick Stein has also gotten off to a strong start, collecting 5 hits in 14 at-bats. Jake McNabb and Matt LaBadie have been the best run producers for the Panthers, driving in 5 runs each.
Tarnowski and Fetter have started two games each for the Panthers, but having started on Monday, are unlikely to see action in the midweek doubleheader. Ben Suter has been a steady influence out of the bullpen, as he has allowed only one earned run through 5 innings. Ben Mulhall has two relief appearances, allowing one unearned run, and Kyler Majka had a strong start in his collegiate debut. Majka struck out 5 in 2 and 2/3 innings of work but took the tough loss in walk-off fashion at Penn State-Altoona.
Penn State-Behrend enters the weekend 9-2 overall with a 2-0 record in AMCC play. They are coming off of a weekend sweep against Pitt-Greensburg, that saw them take the opener 5-0 and win the second game in extra innings 6-5.
Josh Wagner has led the Lions offense, hitting .391 through 11 games, including 6 doubles and 2 home runs. He has driven in 16 runs. Colin Harger and Braden Paulinellie are also off to strong starts, hitting .455 and .405 respectively.
AMCC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Thomas Zbezinski has been the ace of the staff for Behrend, as he has not allowed any runs in 2 starts and 12 innings of work this season. HE threw a complete game shutout over the weekend. Jacob Lindow and Derrick Shields have each started three games for the Lions. Shields is 2-0 with a 3.38 era with 18 strikeouts. Lindow is 1-0 with a 4.70 era.
As with the games played on Monday, spectators are welcome to come and watch the game at the Kessel Athletic Complex. The regulations for spectators are listed below.
- New seating areas have been roped off to separate spectators from players, coaches, and game management staff. This area includes both dugouts, the bleachers, press box, and batting cages. Spectators will be able to view the game while remaining physically distanced along the hill behind the backstop.
- Spectators must wear masks while at the facility.
- The restrooms at the baseball field will not be available for spectator use. Spectators requiring bathroom facilities have access to the bathrooms behind the Facilities Management building next to the Tennis Courts and Soccer Fields. These restrooms are sanitized and disinfected in accordance with Pitt-Bradford campus policies.
- There will be no concessions at the event.
- Spectators, athletes, and coaches are prohibited from chewing and spitting sunflower seeds and smokeless tobacco products within the complex.
A video live stream and live stats will be available on the Pitt-Bradford Athletics website. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and game 2 is set to start shortly after the completion of the first.
