Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team was back in action at the Kessel Athletic Complex on Saturday, dropping two games against Westminster on Senior Day. The Panthers lost both games in 6 innings, falling in game one 9-1 and 12-0 in the second.
Before the action, the Panthers took a few moments to recognize three seniors who will graduate before next season. Ciera Adams, Grace Gardner, and Meghan Kapp were all recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the program as they were accompanied on the field by family and teammates.
Game 1:
The opening game saw the Panthers get off to a rough start as Westminster scored 6 early runs. The Panthers were able to slow the Titans down through the middle innings, but could not get their offense started and ultimately lost 9-1 in 6 innings.
Krislyn Clement got the start for Pitt-Bradford and ran into immediate trouble after back-to-back singles to start the game. She was able to get one out on a fielder's choice but then allowed the Titans to jump ahead with a walk and a 2-run single. Clement struck out the next batter for the second out before allowing a 3-run home run to right field. The rally continued after the blast as two walks and a single added another run to the tally before Lilly Hamels threw out a runner stealing second to end the frame.
Miranda Groll led off the second with a single but was caught stealing later in the inning and Pitt-Bradford went down in order. Christa Koagel relieved Clement to start the second and despite allowing two singles to start the frame, retired the next three batters to end the threat. In the third, she allowed a leadoff homerun to the Titans but quickly settled back down to avoid further damage.
Following a 1-2-3 inning from Koagel in the 4th, Pitt-Bradford got on the board with a pair of hits in the bottom half. Sara Stroup lined a one-out single up the middle and then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. With two down, Ciera Adams found space through the left side of the infield for a single, bringing Stroup around to score.
Koagel posted a shutdown inning in the 5th and then the Panthers threatened to cut further into the lead in their next at-bat. Defensive replacement Maddie Lancy led off the frame with a single and then following a one-out walk, moved to third on a passed ball. Groll drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Stroup, but the sophomore shortstop's grounder went right to third base as she was retired to end the inning.
After retiring the first two batters of the 6th, Koagel nearly ended the inning in order with a ground ball, but a throwing error extended the inning. The Panthers went on to pay for the error, as the next batter blasted a two-run home run to right, extending the lead to eight. The Panthers went down in order in the bottom of the 6th, ending the game.
Krislyn Clement picked up the loss after allowing 6 earned runs in one inning pitched. Christa Koagel settled things down, pitching the final 5.0 innings, while allowing 3 runs, 1 earned. Each pitcher registered one strikeout. Offensively, the Panthers totaled four hits, with no player recording more than one. Sara Stroup scored Pitt-Bradford's lone run, while Ciera Adams drove her in.
Game 2:
In the nightcap, the Panthers hung around with the Titans early, but a 7-run 6th opened up the game which ended 12-0 in six.
Sandra Watne started int eh circle for the Panthers, and was effective early, keeping Westminster of the scoreboard for the first two frames. She worked around a one-out walk to post a zero in the first, and then stranded runners on second and third in the 2nd. Unfortunately, the Panthers could not capitalized on Watne's early success, as they only mustered a leadoff single by Groll in the same span.
The Titans broke through in the 3rd, scoring twice on Watne. The junior righty allowed a double and a walk to start the inning but got the next two outs on a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout. She nearly escaped the jam again, but a Titan single crept through the middle of the field to bring in both runners. Lauren Frascella led off the bottom of the 3rd with a hit and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, Groll nearly brought her in as she hit a hard line drive, but it was right at the left fielder, who made the catch to keep Frascella at second. Stroup followed and was retired on a groundout to short to end the inning.
Watne struggled to refind her form as she returned to the circle for the 4th, allowing the Titans to score a quick run on a leadoff single and a double. After a walk put runners on first and second with no outs, she was replaced by Kalie Dixon. Dixon allowed both inherited runners to score on a single with a throwing error, and two walks, but settled down and got three straight outs to end the frame with Pitt-Bradford trailing by 5. Kapp singled with two outs in the bottom half, but was left on base as the inning ended on a fly ball to left.
Neither team threatened in the 5th before Westminster exploded for 7 runs in the 6th. Kapp replaced Dixon in the circle to start the inning, and could not find her rhythm. Kapp allowed two singles, a double, and four walks which accounted for 4 runs before she was replaced by Koagel without recording an out. Koagel allowed one run to score on a wild pitch, and then a two-out double for two more before bringing the long inning to an end with a pop-up to second.
After two quick outs to start the bottom of the 6th, The Panthers started a rally as Kapp re-entered and drew a walk and Lilly Hamels dropped a single into center. Unfortunately, the rally ended in short order with a strikeout, bringing the game to an end.
Sandra Watne (2-3) picked up the loss after being charged with 5 earned runs in 3+ innings of work. Kalie Dixon pitched 2.0 innings, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks without a run, while Christa Koagel pitched 1 inning without a run. Meghan Kapp was charged with 7 runs without recording an out. The Panthers once again only tallied 4 hits, with all of them coming from different players. Kapp, Lilly Hamels, Miranda Groll, and Lauren Frascella all had singles, while MEghan Kapp also reached on a walk.
The losses drop Pitt-Bradford to 4-14 on the season. They will be back in action on Monday, as they will travel to Allegheny for a road doubleheader. First pitch for the double-dip is scheduled for 3:30.
