Fort Myers, Fl. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford returned to action for their second day of competition in Fort Myers, Fl. on Wednesday, falling in a 9-inning contest with St. Johns University 11-6.
The Panthers fell behind early but were able to claw back and tie the game. Unfortunately, they could not keep momentum and then were unable to stay with the Johnnies, who scored 8 more times, while the Panthers only added 3 additional runs.
Playing as the visiting team, Pitt-Bradford went down in order in the top of the first and then saw St Johns score 3 quick runs with two outs in the bottom of the inning. Starting pitcher Jacob Sherdel struck out the first batter he faced, and then after a double, induced a fly ball to center for the second out of the inning. With two down, he was unable to escape the frame as he walked the next two batters to load the bases. He then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing the first run to score, followed by a double down the right-field line to clear the bases. He was able to avoid further damage with a fly ball to right field.
The Panthers came right back in the 2nd and worked to score a run. Evan Fragela, Justin Dattoli, and Trent Bielak all worked walks to start the frame. Despite the promising start, the inning came to a quick end. Fragela was able to score a run as the Johnnies turned a double play in the infield, and then Dattoli was left on third as the inning ended with a strikeout. Sherdel was able to put his 1st inning troubles behind him in the 2nd, quickly retiring the side in order and getting his team back in the dugout quickly.
The Panthers were unable to get anything going in the 3rd, but Sherdel kept the St. Johns lead at 3-1, as he wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the inning. He was rewarded in the 4th, as the Panthers scored twice to tie the game at 3. Maxwell Rogers led off the inning with a single and then moved to second when Fragela drew another free pass. Dattoli and Bielak both flew out sharply, but Alex Pasternak and Joe long each delivered singles with two outs to bring in the runs. Pasternak dropped a line drive into right-center to bring Rogers around and Long lined a hit back up the middle to score Fragela.
Unfortunately, Sherdel was unable to keep the Johnnies off the board in the 4th. After a leadoff single and a walk, a sacrifice bunt put two runners in scoring position with one out. The next batter lined a two-run double down the left field line to put St. John's back in front. Sherdel got the next batter to pop up to short but was removed after a walk. He was replaced by Maddox Stadler, who was unable to end the threat. He walked two batters and allowed a pair of two-run singles, putting St. Johns up 9-3. The Panthers were able to escape the inning as Fragela made a tough catch on a pop-up behind the plate.
The Panthers could not get anything going offensively in the 5th or 6th innings, and after Stadler recorded a 1-2-3 5th, the Johnnies added a run to their lead in the 6th. Stadler walked the leadoff batter and then allowed two singles to load the bases. A sacrifice fly brought in the run before Stadler ended the inning with consecutive fly balls to center.
Pitt-Bradford looked to cut into the lead in the 7th, scoring three runs of their own. Kevin Rehak lined a double off the fence in left-center to start the inning and then Nico Hall brought him in with another two-bagger down the left-field line. Rogers singled into right field to bring Hall around and then after a passed ball, scored on a Dattoli single to right-center. St. Johns came right back in their half of the inning and added another run off of Stadler. The inning began with a leadoff double, but Stadler seemed to get out of the frame unscathed as he retired the next two batters on a fly out to left and a grounder to third. He was not able to get the final out, however, as he allowed a single up the middle, extending the deficit to 11-6. After the hit, he was replaced by Patrick Synan, who was able to end the inning as he caught the next batter looking.
In the 8th, Hall was able to hustle and beat the throw for a two-out double to right center but then was caught stealing third to end the frame. Synan kept the Johnnies lead at 5 in the bottom half, inducing three straight fly balls to center. Needing 5 runs in the final frame, the Panthers went down in order to finish the game.
Jacob Sherdel (0-2) picked up the loss. He allowed 7 earned runs on 6 hits and 5 walks in 3.2 innings. He struck out three. Maddox Stadler threw three innings in relief, allowing 4 earned on 6 hits and 3 free passes while striking out 2. Synan recorded the last 1.1 innings, retiring all four batters he faced. Maxwell Rogers led the Panthers offensively, finishing 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and another driven in. Nico Hall had a pair of doubles, scored a run, and had an RBI.
The loss drops Pitt-Bradford to 3-8 on the season. They will be back in action tomorrow for another 9-inning game against Augustana at 3 p.m. It will be followed by an exhibition JV game against Hiram at 6. Both games will be played at Terry Park in Fort Myers.
