Fort Myers, Fl. The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team began its Spring Break trip to Fort Myers, Fla. on Monday, dropping two seven-inning contests to Hiram. They were unable to get the bats going early, losing the opener 4-0, and could not hold off a late Terrier charge in game two, falling 6-5 in a walk-off.
Game 1:
The Panthers started the day with a tough pitcher's duel that resulted in a 4-0 loss. Pitt-Bradford was only able to muster 3 hits in the game.
Starting pitcher Kyler Majka was able to work around an error to keep the Terriers off the board in the first, but was not able to repeat the feat in the second. Hiram used a two out rally that included 3 hits and a walk to score 4 runs.
The Panthers looked to strike back in the bottom of the inning, as Maxwell Rogers hit a one out double to left. After Trent Bielak was hit by a pitch, Rogers was able to move to third on a fly ball to center. Unfortunately, he was unable to score as David Gebhard went down swinging to end the inning.
Majka settled into a groove after the 4-run 2nd inning, keeping the Terrier off the board for the last 5 frames. He allowed a leadoff double in the 3rd but was able to record the next 13 outs without allowing a baserunner. His streak ended with a one-out walk in the 7th, but he was able to keep the deficit at four as the inning ended on a lineout and the runner caught stealing.
While Majka kept Hiram in check, the Panthers were not able to take advantage of his success, as they only put two runners on of their own. In the bottom of the third Nico Hall hit a single through the left side and stole second, but was unable to score as the next two Panthers were retired. In the 6th Andrew Bokulich singled to right center but saw the threat end with a fielder's choice and a fly ball to center field.
Kyler Majka (1-2) picked up the loss despite a strong outing. He allowed 4 earned runs, all in one inning, on 4 hits and 2 walks. he struck out one. Maxwell Rogers, Andrew Bokulich, and Nico Hall all went 1-3 in the game, with only Rogers's tally going for extra bases.
Game 2:
While the Panthers' offense sputtered in the opener, they were able to get back on track right away in the second game. Evan Fragela reached on an error with two outs in the first frame, and then quickly stole second. Rogers then delivered a single through the left side to bring in Fragela.
Shawn Mannering started the game for Pitt-Bradford and worked around a leadoff single to put up a shutdown inning in the first. He was not able to repeat the feat in the 2nd as the Terriers tied the game at one with a leadoff double, followed by a single to right center. Mannering walked a batter later in the inning but was able to end the frame without any further damage.
Pitt-Bradford struck right back in the bottom of the third, stringing together four consecutive two-out singles to go up 3-2. Evan Fragela started the rally with a line drive through the left side and then moved to third on a Rogers single to left. Justin Dattoli followed suit with another single into left field and Trent Bielak completed the streak with another grounder through the left side to bring Rogers home from second.
Mannering retired the side in order after the 2-run Panther 3rd, but after the Panthers had a runner thrown out at the plate and left a pair of runners on base, the Terriers were able to cut the lead in half with one in the 4th. Mannering walked the lead-off batter, and then uncorked a pair of wild pitches in the next two at-bats, allowing a pinch runner to move to third. The runner was able to score on an RBI groundout to second before MAnnering ended the inning with a flyball to center.
The Panthers struck right back in the 5th, taking advantage of a wild Hiram bullpen to extend their lead to 5-2. Justin Dattoli hit a one-out double to left to start the rally, which was continued as Jake Soricone and Bret Babcock each drew walks to load the bases. After a pitching change, Kevin Rehak each drew walks with the bags full to each bring in another run.
Mannering posted another big shutdown inning in the 5th. He allowed a one-out infield single but was able to strand the runner as he retired the next two batters. The Panthers stranded a runner in scoring position in the 6th, as Fragela singled to left to lead off the frame and then stole second a batter later. Unfortunately, the Panthers were not able to come up with a hit to bring him in and would rue the missed opportunity after the next inning.
Mannering walked the first two batters of the bottom of the 6th and was replaced by Brandon Amidon-Crawford. Amidon-Crawford hit the first batter he faced and then allowed two inherited runners to score with a sacrifice fly and a single to left. A second sacrifice fly of the inning brought in the 3rd run of the frame to tie the score at 5 before Amidon-Crawford ended the inning with another flyout.
The Panthers went down quietly in the 7th as a 1-out Bret Babcock single was erased with a pickoff. Patrick Synan replaced Amidon Crawford to start the 7th inning, and quickly got the first out on a pop-up in the infield. He would not be able to record another out as the next batter singled into center and then scored on the next play as the Terriers hit a double into left to win in walk-off fashion.
Starting Pitcher Shawn Mannering picked up a no-decision, allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits and 4 walks in 5+ innings pitched. Patrick Synan (1-1) got the loss after allowing the winning run in the 7th. Evan Fragela, Maxwell Rogers, and Justin Dattoli all picked up two hits for Pitt-Bradford. Fragela and Rogers both finished 2 for 4. Fragela had two runs scored and two stolen bases. Rogers had a run scored and an RBI. Dattoli went 2 for 3 with a double, a run scored, and one RBI.
The Panthers fall to 3-7 on the season. They will return to action on Wednesday, March 8th, when they take on Saint John's for a 9-inning contest. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m at Terry Park, Field 1.
