Bethany, W.V. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team split the first day of its four-game set at Bethany on Saturday, winning game one 9-3 before falling to the Bisons on a walk-off 3-2 in game two.
Game 1:
The Panthers used a 7-run 4th inning to take down Bethany 9-3 in game one.
They got off to a strong start, as they were able to quickly score two in the top of the first. Nico Hall led off the game with a double down the left field line, and then after stealing third base, scored on a balk. Kevin Rehak was then hit by a pitch and promptly stole 2nd and 3rd base. After Justin Dattoli reached on a dropped pop-up, Trent Bielak hit a double to deep left to bring in Rehak for the second run.
Starting pitcher Kyler Majka was unable to keep the momentum with the Panthers in the bottom half of the inning. He allowed a leadoff single, and then retired the next two batters. With two outs he gave up a triple to left and then saw the tying run score on a wild pitch.
Both teams went down quietly in the 2nd and 3rd before the Panthers rallied to score 7 runs, all with two outs, in the 4th. After a strikeout started the inning, Blake Prestash was able to reach on a dropped third strike. Following another strikeout and an error in the infield, the Panthers had the bases loaded with two down. Kevin Rehak was hit by a pitch for the second time to force in a run and put the Panthers back in front. Evan Fragela followed with a single through the left side to bring in two more before Justin Dattoli lined a long single into left to bring in Rehak and chase Bethany's starting pitcher. Bielak welcomed the Bison reliever by hitting his second RBI single of the game, lining a hit into left. Maxwell Rogers ended the rally as he doubled to deep center field to bring in two more runs.
In the bottom half, the Bisons looked to rally as they scored a run on back-to-back doubles to begin the frame. Majka was able to settle down after the second, retiring the next three batters to limit the Bisons to one. He was then able to strand two runners on base in the 5th and 6th innings without giving up a run.
Joe Long replaced Majka to start the 7th and hit the first batter he faced. He retired the next two batters on fly balls to right field before he put another runner on with a hit-by-pitch. He was able to get out of the jam and end the game by retiring the next batter on the third flyball to right of the inning.
Kyler Majka (1-1) picked up the win after allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched. He struck five. Joe long worked a hitless 7th.
Evan Fragela and Trent Bielak both went 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs. Maxwell Rogers and Justin Dattoli each had RBI hits, while Nico Hall and Kevin Rehak both scored twice.
Game 2:
The nightcap of the doubleheader was a pitcher's dual that ended with a walk-off single by the hosts.
The Panthers went down quietly in the first, and Bethany was able to jump ahead, scoring a run off of starter Shawn Mannering. The first two batters of the game reached on singles, but Mannering was able to induce the next batter to hit a ground ball to third. Dattoli fielded the ball and tagged a runner, but his throw to second to get a second out was wild, allowing the second runner to move to third. The run went on to score on a passed ball, but the Panthers were able to get an out as they threw out the other runner trying to move all the way to third base on the play. Mannering then struck out the next batter to end the frame.
Mannering kept the Bisons off the board in the 2nd and was rewarded in the 3rd, as the Panthers tied the game. Andrew Bokulich led off the inning with an infield single and then moved to third on a pair of groundouts. With two down and a runner on third, Fraglea came through with a clutch single to center to tie the game.
The Panthers were unable to keep the game tied for long, as Bethany retook the lead in the bottom half. The Bisons loaded the bases with a pair of singles, an outfield error, and a hit batter before the Panthers could record an out. Mannering was able to get the next batter to hit a sacrifice fly, which allowed the first runner to score, but centerfielder Nico Hall's throw to third base resulted in a rundown and the second out of the inning. Mannering was able to strand the other runner as he took care of the next grounder himself.
The Panthers tied the game at two in the 5th with another two-out rally. Evan Fragela drove his third hit of the game into left field and then scored all the way from first as Dattoli lined a double into left field. Trent Bielak made good contact with Dattoli on second but saw his batted ball caught in the outfield.
The Panthers threatened to score in the 6th as after a pair of singles and a walk they had the bases loaded with two outs. Kevin Rehak hit a hard grounder up the middle, but it did not get through and Hall was forced out at second place to end the inning.
Mannering was still going strong in the 7th inning but was unable to keep the game going into extras. The leadoff batter reached base and moved to second on a pair of errors at 2nd base and then moved to third with one out after a sacrifice bunt. Mannering was able to snag a grounder back up the middle and hold the runner for the second out of the inning, but with two down could not escape the ground as a shallow fly ball found some grass in between two Panther outfielders, allowing the winning run to cross the plate.
Shawn Mannering (0-2) picked up a hard-luck loss as he pitched 6 and 2/3 innings. allowing 3 unearned runs. He struck out 5. Evan Fragela finished the game 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Justin Dattoli had the other run batted in. Andrew Bokulich also logged a multi-hit game, finishing 2 for 3 with a run scored.
After the split, the Panthers are now 2-4 on the season. They will be right back at it tomorrow, as they play two more against Bethany. First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.
