Erie, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team's 2024 season came to a disappointing end on Friday morning as they were eliminated from the AMCC Tournament with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Penn State-Altoona.
The Game got off to a rocky start as the Panthers found themselves trailing 2-0 after just three batters. Starting pitcher Krislyn Clement gave up a leadoff single to right, which was misplayed, allowing the batter to move to third. Clement got the next batter to pop up to short, but the third Lion in the order put them ahead 2-0 with a home run to right center. Clement allowed the next batter to reach on a hit, but then settled down and ended the inning with two flyouts. The Panthers went down in order in their half of the inning.
In the second, Clement kept the Lions off the board and then the Panthers were able to cut into the lead with a quick rally. Lexi Peters led off the inning with a single to center and then moved to third on a single to right center by Clement. Lilly Hamels came to the plate next and grounded into a double play, which allowed Peters to score and cut the lead in half. Lizzy Hoovler looked to restart the inning with a two-out hit to left, but the inning came to an end a batter later.
The Lions tacked on a run in the top of the 3rd, as after Clement retired the first two batters, the Lion's top hitter Camryn Feathers hit her second home run of the game, this time to left center. Pitt-Bradford did not stay down for long, as they rallied to score twice in the bottom of the dining. Lexi Najdusak led off and dropped a single into right field. The hit brought up the top of the Panther lineup and Faith McLaughlin. McLaughlin dropped down a bunt and was able to reach without a throw for a single. The next batter, Miranda Groll repeated the bunt and also reached on a hit without a throw. With bases loaded and no outs, Sara Stroup grounded a single through the left side, bringing in two runs to tie the game. Groll, who had moved to third on the throw home tried to catch the Lions napping and sprinted towards the plate. The speedy centerfielder was contentiously called out at the plate for the first out of the inning. The next two batters were retired on an infield pop-up and a flyball to center, stranding a Stroup at third.
After a quiet fourth inning that saw both teams retired in order, the Panthers threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the 5th. McLaughlin hit a one-out single to center and then moved to second when Groll was called out after a collision at first base on a sacrifice bunt. Stroup drew a walk to continue the inning but both runners were left on base as the inning ended a batter later.
The Panthers would go on to rue the missed opportunity, as the Lions retook the lead in the 6th. The Panthers intentionally walked Feathers to start the inning. After an error on a potential double-play ball, the Lions had runners on the corners. They attempted a double steal and a throw down to third was mishandled, allowing Feathers to break for home. McLaughlin came in from left field and made a strong throw to the plate, cutting down the runner for the first out. Groll made a sliding play on a blooper into center field for the second out but then could not get to a second straight shallow fly ball, which dropped just beyond her outstretched glove, allowing the go-ahead run to score.
Clement led off the 6th and hit a ball toward the gap in right-center, but after the ball was cut off, she was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double. Hoovler added another two-out single to left and was then left on base as the inning ended on a foul out to first. She retired the side in order in the 7th, setting up a thrilling finish in the bottom of the inning.
With one out, the Panthers got two gifts from the Lions as McLaughlin reached on a dropped fly ball in the outfield and Groll beat the throw to first after a bobble at third base. With the tying and go-ahead runs on base, the Panthers sent their two most productive hitters on the season to the plate, but could not find the grass in the outfield. Stroup flew out to left for the second out and Peters lined out to third to end the game.
Krislyn Clement (10-4) was saddled with the loss. She allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in 7.0 innings pitched. She struck out 3 batters and also had 2 hits. Lizzy Hoovler and Faith McLaughlin each had multi-hit games in their final collegiate contests. McLaughlin was 2 for 4 with a run scored and Hoovler had a pair of singles. Sara Stroup was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 RBI.
After the Game, Faith McLaughlin and Miranda Groll were named to the All-Tournament team.
The Panthers finish the season with a 23-11 record.
