Roanoke, VA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team was back in action for the second time in as many days on Saturday, finishing their Virginia trip with a doubleheader at Roanoke. The Panthers struggled to get their offense rolling and allowed two big innings, leading to a pair of 5-inning losses, 9-0 and 12-0.
Game 1
In the opener, the Panthers were unable to muster a hit in the run-rule shortened game.
Krislyn Clement got the start for the Panthers and started strong, working around a one-out single in the first.
Things did not go as well in the second as the Maroons loaded the bases with a single, a fielder's choice without an out, and an error in the infield. She could not escape the jam and Roanoke scored four times before an out could be recorded. Clement got the first out of the inning on an RBI groundout, but it was followed by a single and a double to score two more. Another RBI grounder made the score 8-0 before the Maroons scored for the final time on a single to left. After another error in the infield, Clement was able to get the final out on a flyball to right.
Roanoke was able to put a runner on base in both the 3rd and 4th innings, but Clement shut down the rallies without further damage.
The only Panther to reach base came in the top of the 4th, when Sara Stroup reached on a throwing error at third. She remained at first as the next two Panthers were retired on a strikeout and a lineout to short. In the 5th, all three Panther batters put the ball in play, but all were retired to end the game.
Krislyn Clement (1-5) pitched all four innings for Pitt-Bradford. She allowed 9 runs, 7 earned, with 1 strikeout. The Panthers did not record a hit in the game, and Sara Stroup was the only Panther to reach base, doing so on an error.
Game 2:
In the second game, the Panthers again struggled at the plate and fell behind with a crooked number in the 2nd, eventually falling 12-0 in 5.
Miranda Groll led off the game for the Panthers and registered their first hit of the day, lining a single into centerfield. She was able to steal second base, but the inning ended shortly after as two Panthers struck out and the third popped up in the infield. Sandra Watne headed to the circle as the starting pitcher for the Panthers and after allowing a leadoff single, induced three straight ground balls to end the frame.
In the top of the 2nd, the Maroons struck out the side and then jumped on Watne in the bottom half of the inning. They loaded the bases with a single and two walks, and then rattled off 7 straight hits, including two triples to take a 9-0 lead. After an error in the infield let in another run, an RBI double put the score at 11-0 and forced a pitching change. Christa Koagel replaced Watne and quickly ended the inning with a strikeout and a ground ball back to the circle.
The Panthers were set down on strikes again in the 4th and Koagel returned to the circle. After retiring the leadoff batter, she allowed a walk and a single, but settled down to induce two groundouts to put a 0 on the board. Pitt-Bradford swung through three outs in the 4th and then the Maroons tacked on another run in the bottom half, after an error with one out put a runner on third, Koagel allowed an unearned run on a sacrifice fly and then ended the inning on a lineout to first.
Ciera Adams grounded out to short to start the 5th and after a strikeout, Meghan Kapp reached on an error with two down. She was not able to advance as the game ended a batter later on a strikeout.
Sandra Watne (2-2) picked up the loss after being charged with 11 earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched. Christa Koagel settled things down and pitched the final 2.2 innings of the contest, allowing 1 unearned run on 1 hit and a walk. She struck out 1 batter. Miranda Groll had the lone hit for the Panthers and also stole a base.
Pitt-Bradford falls to 3-9 after the losses at Roanoke. They will be back at home for their next game, as they open their home slate on Monday, MArch 24th against Grove City. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
