Whittier, CA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team wrapped up a difficult week in Southern California on Saturday, finishing their Spring Break trip with a pair of losses against Whittier. Pitt-Bradford fell in the opener 10-2, and then dropped the nightcap 13-0 in five.

Game 1:

Pitt-Bradford fell behind early in game one, and despite scoring twice in the 3rd, were unable to build another rally, ultimately falling 10-2. 

The Panthers were set down in order in the first and sent Krislyn Clement to the circle as the starting pitcher. She ran into trouble early, hitting two batters and allowing an infield single to load the bases with one out. The Panthers kept the Poets off the board for a moment when Sara Stroup forced out a runner at the plate, but the hosts took the lead when a walk forced in the opening run. 

Following another 1-2-3 inning or the Panthers in the 2nd, Whittier added to their lead with a two-out rally. Clement retired the first two batters, but then extended the inning with a walk. The next two Poets singled to bring in the first run and then after a walk loaded the bases, Whittier cleared them with a double to right-center.

Pitt-Bradford's offense struck back in the top of the third, scoring twice. Jada Polczynski started the rally with a single to center, and then moved up when Christa Koagel found grass down the right field line. Both runners advanced when Miranda Groll grounded out to the pitcher, and then scored when Sara Stroup doubled to left center. Sandra Watne replaced Clement to start the third, and retired the first two batters she faced. Watne also could not close out the inning, extending it with a walk before allowing a double to the gap in right center brought in the runner from first to put the Poets ahead 6-2.

The Panthers threatened in the 4th when Watne drew a 1-out walk and then a batter later Maddie Lancy singled to third base. Unfortunately, the Panthers could not come up with another two-out hit and the inning ended on a fielder's choice groundout. Whittier took advantage of a pair of Watne walks, following them with a single to right to add to the lead. Watne limited the damage, inducing back-to-back pop-ups to end the frame.

Stroup tallied her second hit of the game with a single in the top of the 5th, but three groundouts ended the inning. Whitier tacked on one run in the 5th and then looked to end the game in the 6th. Kalie Dixon replaced Watne in the 6th and allowed four consecutive singles, allowing the Poets to increase their lead to 10 and end the game.

Krislyn Clement (1-3) picked up the loss after allowing 5 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in 2.0 innings pitched. Sandra Watne pitched 3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. Kalie Dixon faced four batters and allowed 4 singles and 2 runs. Sara Stroup led the Panther offense, finishing 2 for 2 with a double and 2 RBI. Jada Polczynski, Christa Koagel and Maddie Lancy all had singles. Polczynski and Koagel each scored a run for Pitt-Bradford.

Game 2:

In their final game in California, the Panthers struggled on both sides of the plate, tallying just two hits while allowing 13 runs.

The game started on a strong note, as Miranda Groll beat out an infield single to lead off the game, but was not able to advance as the next three Panthers were retired. Christa Koagel started the game in the circle and quickly fell behind, allowing a single and then back-to-back home runs to go ahead 3-0. The next three Poets singled, but the Panthers were able to throw out a runner on the plate for the first out, and then induced a pair of ground balls to end the first.

The Panthers went down in order in the 2nd and the Poets continued adding to their lead, hitting another two-run home run and then scored one more run with an RBI double. 

Meghan Kapp replaced Koagel in the 3rd and walked the leadoff batter. A sacrifice bunt allowed the runner to move all the way to third, and then a sacrifice fly to right brought in the first run of the inning without a hit. After a pair of walks, the Poets added another run on an error in the infield. 

Kallie Dixon replaced Kapp to begin the 4th, and allowed 5 runs to score on 3 hits, 1 error and a pair of walks. Krislyn Clement pinch hit and led off the 5th with a double to left, but was left on third as the Panthers could not come up with another hit to drive her in.

Christa Koagel (0-2) picked up the loss after allowing 6 earned runs in 2.0 innings with one strikeout. Meghan Kapp allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in 1 inning pitched, and Kalie Dixon allowed 5 4uns, 4 earned in 1.0 inning pitched. The Panthers had 2 hits in the game, a Miranda Groll leadoff single in the 1st, and a Krislyn Clement double in the 5th.

The Panthers fall to 2-6 after the losses. They will return to Bradford on Sunday, and begin preparations for a trip to Virginia next weekend. The Panthers will take on Roanoke on Saturday, March 15th and then play Eastern Mennonite on Sunday.