Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team opened their 2024 campaign on Sunday, as they took on the Bethany Bison in a doubleheader. The Panthers split the twin bill, dropping game one on a walk-off 5-3 and then winning the nightcap 5-1

Game One

The Panthers started their season with a tough loss, as they could not hold onto a late 1-run lead and then lost the game on a walk-off two-run home run.

Pitt-Bradford went down in order in the top of the first before Patrick Synan took the hill for the Panthers. Synan ran into early trouble, as he walked the leadoff batter, and then allowed two runs to score on a triple and a sacrifice fly. Maxwell Rogers looked to get the PAtnehrs started in the next frame, as he led off the inning with a double but was stranded in scoring position, as the next three batters were retired on strikes. 

Synan set down the Bisons in order in the second, before the hosts gifted the Panthers their first run. With two outs, Andrew Bokulich reached on an error and then moved into scoring possession on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Evan Fragela came to the plate next and served a flyball into right, which was misplayed again, allowing Boulich to score. 

Synan posted an important shutdown inning in the 3rd and then matched a scoreless frame from the Bisons in the 4th. In the 5th, the Panthers rallied, stringing together three straight extra-base hits to score twice and take the lead. Bokulich started the rally again, lining a double into left center, and then scored his second run of the game as Fragela also found the gap for two. Rogers came to the plate next and hit the ball the other way into right-center for a run-scoring, go-ahead triple. 

In the bottom half, Synan worked around a fielding error and a balk to post his third straight 0 on the scoreboard. The Panthers threatened to add to their advantage in the 6th, as Kyle Kimoto hit a one-out single and then stole second base. Noah Avey drew a walk before both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. The Panthers were unable to take advantage of the situation, however, as the next two batters struck out looking to end the threat.

Logan McConnell replaced Synan to start the 6th and was unable to hold off the Bison, who tied the game quickly. McConnell allowed a leadoff single and then after a strikeout, gave up a double to the gap to tie the game at 3. McConnel retired the next batter on a fly ball and then following a walk, made a strong defensive play to throw out the runner at home to end the inning.

In the 7th, the Panthers registered two hits but were kept off the board as Fragela was thrown out trying to go from first to third on a Blake Prestash single and Bret Babcock was retired on a running grab in left field. In the bottom half, McConnell allowed another leadoff single but responded with two straight outs on a strikeout and a popup. He was not able to get out of the inning and send the game to extra frames, as he then gave up a two-run blast to end the game. 

Patrick Synan picked up a no-decision after a strong start. He allowed 2 earned runs on one hit and 2 walks over 5.0 innings pitched. He struck out 5 batters. Logan McConnell (0-1) is saddled with the loss after allowing 3 earned in 1.2 innings of work. He struck out 2. Maxwell Rogers finished the game 2 for 4 with a pair of extra-base hits and an RBI. Evan Fragela also went 2 for 4, driving in one run and scoring another. Andrew Bokulich scored twice in the loss.

Game Two

Following a tough loss to open the game, the Panthers turned to junior Shawn Mannering to salvage a split on the day. He was dominant on the day, as the Panthers jumped on the Bison early and won game two 5-1.

The Panthers got out to a quick start in the nightcap, scoring twice in the top of the 1st. Bokulich started the inning with a one-out single and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch during a walk to Rogers. Blake Prestash followed, lining a single into right-center to bring in Bokulich and move Rogers to third. Avey came to the plate next and reached on an error, allowing Rogers to score. Mannering took the mound in the bottom half and worked around a two-out single to post a shutdown inning, including a pair of strikeouts. 

Pitt-Bradford threatened again in the 2nd when Garrett Smith started the inning by reaching on an error and Jake Soricone followed with a single to left. The Panthers were unable to take advantage of the strong start to the frame, as the next three Panthers were retired. Mannering tossed another shutout inning in the 2nd, striking out two more to strand a runner on third.

The Panthers went down quietly in the third, while the hosts were able to halve the lead. They strung together two straight hits with one out and then after a strikeout, brought home a run on a hit batter and a bases-loaded walk. Mannering induced the next batter to pop up in the infield to end the threat without further damage.

Pitt-Bradford was able to get the run right back in the 4th. Smith and Soricone started the rally again, each reaching on a free pass. The Bison were able to pick up two outs over the next few batters, and after Nico Hall stole 2nd base, Fragela was intentionally walked to load the bases. The next batter, Rogers, came through with the clutch two-out hit, driving a single into left to bring in Soricone. Mannering returned to the hill and had his most dominant inning, striking out the side to post another 0.

In the 5th, the Panthers were able to tack on two more runs. After Justin Smulik reached on an error, Smith dropped a single into right, which was misplayed in the outfield, allowing Smulik to score on the play. Two batters later, Bokulich blooped a single into left field to put the Panthers up 5-1. In the bottom half, Mannering finished his strong start with another shutdown inning, retiring the side in order.

The Panthers were unable to take advantage of a two-out double from Avey in the 6th, but reliever Ben Suter made quick work of the Bison, inducing three straight groundouts to Prestash at third. Pitt-Bradford was unable to muster any threat in the 7th and sent Suter back to the mound to close out the game. Suter hit the first batter of the inning, but then got the first out on a fielder's choice, and then helped turn a 1-6-3 double play to end the game.

Shawn Mannering (1-0) picked up the win after 5 dominant innings. He allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits and a pair of walks. He struck out 10. Ben Suter threw the final two innings for the Panthers, allowing only one batter to reach on a hit-by-pitch. Andrew Bokulich had the only multi-hit game for Pitt-Bradford, finishing 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Noah Avey had the only extra-base hit of the game, a double, while Maxwell Rogers, and Blake Prestash each drove in runs. 

The Panthers are 1-1 after the opening day split and will stay in Bethany for the night as they will play a 9-inning rubber match against the Bison on Monday. First pitch is slated for noon.