Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Panthers Drop Pitchers Duel in Season Finale

Ben Mulhall Delivers a Pitch. Photo Credit: Lizzy Hoovler
Ben Mulhall Delivers a Pitch. Photo Credit: Lizzy Hoovler

Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team wrapped up its 2022 season on Tuesday, taking on Wilson College in a single 9-inning game. The Panther's pitching staff was able to keep the Phoneix in check, but Pitt-Bradford was unable to match two runs in the 9th inning, falling 4-2.

  • Ben Mulhall started the game for the Panthers and fell behind right away as the Phoenix were able to push one across in the first. After a leadoff infield single, Mulhall was bale to get an out on a fielder's choice. The runner on first then stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly to right field.
  • The Panthers were set down in order in the first, sending Mulhall back to the mound down 1-0. Mulhall got two quick outs and then stranded a runner on third following a triple to keep Wilson off the board.
  • The Panthers threatened with a two-out rally in the 2nd as Justin Dattoli and Tyler Aires both singled, but they were left on base as the inning ended on a groundout.
  • Mulhall put together a 1-2-3 inning in the third and then saw the game tied as the Panthers pushed a run across in the bottom half. David Gebhard drew a leadoff walk and then moved to second on a grounder between the mound and 1st base. Evan Fragela came up with a clutch two-out RBI single as he lined a hit into right field to bring Gebhard around.
  • Mulhall worked around two hits and a passed ball to strand runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 4th, and then left a runner on third in the 5th after a double and a grounder to the right side. The Panthers went down in order in the two innings.
  • In the 6th, Mulhall was replaced by Alex Fetter. Fetter got two quick outs in the 6th but with two down gave up a double off the wall in left and a single up the middle, allowing a run to score.
  • The Panthers struck right back in the 6th, tying the game at 2. Evan Fragela reached on a throwing error to start the inning and then stole second base. With two down, Noah Meyers hit a bloop fly ball that landed between the Phoenix shortstop and centerfielder, allowing Fragela to score.
  • Fetter got into trouble in the 7th, walking the first two batters and seeing a bunt single load the bases before an out was recorded. Fetter settled down to retire three in a row to keep the game tied at two. The Panthers got the first out on a forceout at home plate, and after a strikeout Fetter induced another ground ball that was fielded by Dattoli at third who stepped on the bag next to him to end the inning.
  • Wilson hit a one-out double to left field in the 8th  but Fetter was able to end the threat, snagging a line drive back up the middle and quickly throwing to second to complete the inning-ending double play.
  • Nico Hall led off the 8th with a single through the left side but was quickly erased on a 4-6-3 double play.
  • Wilson finally took advantage of their chances to score in the 9th. During a leadoff double, a dropped ball in the outfield allowed the batter to move all the way to third. The next batter hit a chopper towards the hole on the left side, which was fielded by shortstop Kevin Rehak. Rehak attempted an off-balance throw but it was offline, allowing the run to score and the batter to move to second. Fetter was then replaced by Kyler Majka. The first batter Majka faced singled to left to make the score 4-2. 
  • After a strikeout, a Wilson single through the right side put runners on 1st and 2nd. Majka got the next batter to hit a groundball to second base where it was fielded by Bret Babcock and flipped to Rehak at second. Rehak pump-faked a throw to first, turned, and fired to third where he caught the runner off guard to end the inning.
  • Tyler Aires was able to draw a two-out walk in the bottom of the 9th but was unable to move further as the game ended on a strikeout.

Starting pitcher Ben Mulhall picked up a no-decision after allowing just one run in 5 innings of work. He struck out two. Alex Fetter (2-5) got the loss after he allowed 3 runs, 2 earned in 3.0 innings pitched. He also finished with two strikeouts. Kyler Majka allowed 2 hits in one inning pitched, striking out one. The Panthers were only able to muster 5 hits on the day. Evan Fragela had the best day at the plate, finishing 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Noah Meyers drove in the other run for the Panthers.

Pitt-Bradford finishes the season with a 12-23 overall record and a 5-11 record in AMCC play.