Hamburg, N.Y. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team secured its first trip to the AMCC Tournament since 2021 on Thursday, picking up two wins against Hilbert on the road. The Panthers scored in 5 of 7 innings to win the opener 8-4 before battling back with 8 runs in the final three frames to take game two 8-6.
Game One:
In the opener, Pitt-Bradford jumped out to an early lead and then rallied for 4 runs in the 4th to break open the game and then hold on for an 8-4 victory.
Aiden Zimmerman led off the contest with a single to right, and then, after moving to third on a sacrifice bunt and an error, scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Colwell. Collin Porter started on the mound for Pitt-Bradford and posted an early shutdown inning, working around a leadoff infield single to keep the Panthers in front.
The Panthers doubled their lead in the third with a two-out rally. Tim Johnson lined a double to left and then scored a batter later when Trent Bielak singled into right field. In the bottom half, Porter hit the first two batters of the frame before retiring the next two. He nearly escaped the jam unscathed, but gave up a double to left that brought in one run and ended with another runner thrown out on the bases to end the inning.
Pitt-Bradford got the run right back in the fourth and then added to their lead later in the frame. Blake Prestsh was hit by a pitch to start the rally before singles by Maxwell Rogers and Kenny Nickson III loaded the bases with no outs. Noah Avey drove in a pair with a single to center. The rally continued with an infield single for Alex Ognen and then two more runs scored on a potential double-play as Johnson beat the relay throw to the bag for an RBI, and a second run scampered home as the throw tricked away from first. Armed with a 6-1 advantage, Porter returned to the mound and set down the side in order for another shutdown inning.
Alex Colwell started the 5th with a double to center and then moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Prestash hit a sacrifice fly to center. The hosts got two back in the bottom half to cut the lead to 4. They used two hits, 1 error, and a stolen base to score the runs.
The Panthers pushed their lead back to 5 with another tally in the 6th. Avey led off with a single and then moved to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt. Zimmerman flew out to deep left to bring in the run.
In the bottom of the 7th, Porter retired the first batter he faced, but was removed after allowing a single and a hit batter. He was relieved by Brayden Hageter. Hageter retired the first batter he faced, but then loaded the bases with another hit batter and allowed an inherited runner to score on a single to left. He settled down after the run scored, inducing one final groundout to end the contest.
Collin Porter (3-2) received the win for the Panthers. He pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out three batters. Brayden Hageter shut the door for his first save of the season, allowing 1 hit in 2/3 of an inning pitched. Noah Avey had the big hit for Pitt-Bradford and finished the game 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 2 more driven in. Maxwell Rogers also posted a multihit game, finishing 2 for 4.
Game Two:
The second game of the doubleheader started off as a pitchers' duel with neither team scoring through 5 and a half. The hosts struck first, taking a 4-0 lead, but the Panthers battle back to tie the game in the 8th. After the Hawks responded with 2 in the bottom of the 6th, Pitt-Bradford rallied for 4 runs in the 9th to secure the victory and clinch a playoff spot.
Joe Long started for the Panthers and battled early, keeping the Hawks off the scoreboard through 4. He retired the side 1-2-3 in the first, stranded runners in the 2nd and 4th, and escaped a jam in the 3rd. After retiring the first two batters of the frame, he allowed three consecutive singles to load the bases. He was able to keep the game tied, however, inducing a pop-up in the infield to end the threat.
The hosts took the lead in the 5th, taking advantage of a leadoff single and a walk. Following a sacrifice bunt, they drove in both runners with a double to right, opening the scoring. Long avoided further damage, retiring the next two batters on a fly ball and a pop-up. After the Pathers were set down 1-2-3 in the 6th, Long allowed the first two batters to reach on free passes and was replaced by Ethan Zimmerman. The runners moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, and then both were able to score on a sac fly with an error on the throw into the infield, doubling the deficit to 4 runs.
After being limited to 2 hits through the first six innings of play, the Pitt-Bradford offense kick-started with a run in the 7th. Alex Colwell started the frame with a single to left, and then moved to third on a wild pitch and a Blake Prestash hit. Maxwell Rogers drove him in with a single to left before an out was recorded in the frame. The Panthers were unable to cut into the lead any further, as the next three batters were retired on a lineout to left field and two groundballs in the infield. Zimmerman posted a 1-2-3 shutdown frame in the 7th, sending the Panther offense back to the dugout, looking to continue building momentum.
Pitt-Bradford continued their rally in the 8th, scoring 3 times to even the game at 4. Aiden Zimmerman led off the inning with a single and then quickly moved to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch. After Tim Johnson drew a walk, he stole second, which drew an errant throw, allowing Zimmerman to score and Johnson to replace him at third. Colwell drew a walk with one out and then Prestash drove in Johnson with a sacrifice fly to left, cutting the deficit to one. With two down, Rogers came through with a clutch double off the wall in center field, bringing Colwell all the way around from first to tie the game.
With the game tied at 4, Zimmerman looked to keep the momentum in the Panthers' dugout, but was not able to hold off the Hawks, who regained the lead. He retired the leadoff batter, but then gave up a single and a stolen base. The next batter hit a chopper back to the mound, which Zimmerman had trouble fielding and rushed a throw to first. The throw was up the line, allowing the batter to reach and take second, and the go-ahead run to score. The error was followed by a double to right, which put the Hawks up two and brought Zach Foster to the mound to make another pitching change. Maddox Stadler relieved Zimmerman, and after loading the bases with a hit batter and a single, escaped further damage with a strikeout and a fly ball to right.
Pitt-Bradford entered the 9th needing two runs to extend the game, and rallied against the Hilbert bullpen. Logan McConnell started the frame with a walk, and then the Panthers loaded the bases with an Alex Ognen single and an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. After a Hilbert pitching change, Johnson and Bielak tied the game with consecutive sacrifice flies. The inning continued when Colwell drew another walk and then Prestash lined a single into right, giving Pitt-Bradford their first lead of the game. Rogers followed with another single, driving in an insurance run. In the bottom of the inning, Stadler made quick work of the Hawks, inducing two quick fly outs and a grounder to short to secure the victory.
Maddox Stadler (1-0) was credited with the win after allowing 1 hit and 0 runs in 1.2 innings pitched. He struck out one. Joe Long had a solid start but picked up a no-decision after allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, on 6 hits in 5+ innings. He also had one strikeout. Ethan Zimmerman pitched 2.1 innings in relief of Long, allowing 2 unearned runs on 2 hits and a walk. Maxwell Rogers went 3 for 5 in the win, driving in 3 runs while hitting a double. Alex Colwell reached 4 of 5 times, finishing 2/3 with a double, two walks and 3 runs scored. Blake Prastash also logged a multi-hit game and drove in 2 runs, including the game winner.
The wins move Pitt-Bradford to 14-14 for the year with a 4-8 mark in conference play. The victories also clinch the #6 seed in next week's AMCC tournament. They will be back in action tomorrow, as they will bring their regular season to a close against Pitt-Greensburg. Due to inclement weather and field conditions, the games have been moved to Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pa. First pitch for game one is slated for 1:30 p.m.
