Bradford, Pa. -- After a 2021 season that saw them play a conference-only schedule, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team is preparing to return to a full slate of action for the Spring of 2022.
The Panthers are coming off of a 6-15 season in 2021, that saw them finish 3-11 in AMCC competition play and a 7th seed in the AMCC tournament. After losing the opening game of a best of three playoff series at Penn-State Behrend, the Panthers were able to battle back in game two, winning 5-4 and forcing a series-deciding third game. Unfortunately, the Lions were too much for the Panthers in the third game, ending their season with a 23-4 loss.
The Panthers were led by 1st team All-AMCC Conference shortstop Sam Dreistadt. The senior infielder hit .371 on the season while leading the team in hits (26), RBIs (15), and stolen bases (4) he also hit two home runs. Fellow Senior Matt LaBadie hit 3 home runs in the season and newcomers Evan Fragela and Nico Hall finished the season with two of the top 5 Panther batting averages.
Alex Miles set the pace for the Panther pitching staff, finishing the season with a 1-2 record and a 4.50 era after allowing 17 runs in 34.0 innings pitched. Reid Tarnowski led the team in innings pitched with 36.0 and strikeouts, 31.
As the Panthers move onto 2022, the Panthers return 5 starters from their lineup as well as all 5 starting pitchers from the last campaign. They will look to mix this experience with a promising class of new players that have joined the program eager to make an immediate impact.
“Our main focus this season is competing. No matter what the task may be, we want to compete both against our opponents and among ourselves,” said head coach Zach Foster. “I’m very happy with where we are in terms of mentality and the amount of hard work we are putting in to get better every day.”
The Panthers have a class of 11 seniors that will not only play a big part in the team’s on-field success but also as leaders on the squad. Jake McNabb, Kevin Rehak, and Tyler Aires return to the lineup with the most experience after starting for the previous two seasons. Tarnowski and Miles will lead the rotation that will include experienced upperclassmen as well as talented newcomers ready to make an impact.
“We have had a group of leaders in the squad that has set one goal and have led their teammates to buy in completely,” added Foster.
The Panthers were selected 7th in the annual AMCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, which is the same position in which they finished last season. Foster closed, “We understand that nothing is going to be handed to us and we need to work hard to show where we belong. The mental toughness and ability to bring it every day has been promising to watch, and we hope to carry it into our season.”
The Panthers will begin their season with a three-game weekend set at Randolph Macon on February 19th and 20th. They will travel to Fort Myers, Florida to play 9 games over spring break. The Panthers will begin their Conference Competition on April 2nd and will open their home schedule on Wednesday, April 6th against Hilbert.
