Bethany, W.V. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team took on Bethany on Monday afternoon in a rubber match to decide the winner of a three-game set in West Virginia. The Panthers fell behind early but rallied in the final 5 innings to win 14-7.
Pitt-Bradford's offense looked promising early, as they loaded the bases with one out in the first, but could not come up with a big hit to open the score. Brandon Amidon-Crawford took the ball to start for Pitt-Bradford and ran into trouble early. He allowed a one-out double and then loaded the bases with a walk and a hit batter. He was nearly out of the jam after a runner was forced out at home, but the Bison were able to bring in two runs on a single through the left side and then added three more on a throwing error in the infield and a passed ball.
The Panthers looked poised to respond in the 2nd when Aaron Hair singled and then Shane Wetherington drew a walk. After a lineout to short, both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch but were unable to score as the next batter was retired on a groundout. despite allowing a leadoff single in teh bottom half, Amidon-Crawford was able to slow the Bison down as he quickly ended the inning with a forceout on a comebacker and a 5-4-3 double play.
Both teams were unable to bring in a runner that reached scoring position in the 3rd, and the Panthers seemed snakebit again in the 4th when Hair was left stranded at 2nd after a single and a wild pitch. Maddox Stadler replaced Amidon Crawford to begin the 4th and struggled to miss the barrel early. The first four batters he faced registered singles, but the Panthers were able to limit the Bison to 1 run, as Evan Fragela picked off a runner on a snap throw to first and the Panthers turned an inning-ending double play
After struggling to come through with a big hit in the first four innings, the Panthers were finally able to break through in the 5th, exploding for 6 runs to take the lead. Andrew Bokulich led off the frame with a double to left center and the next two batters reached on free passes to load the bases. Blake Prestash came through and put the Panthers on the board as he dropped a single into left center. With the bases still loaded, Noah Avey drew a walk to force in another run and force a Bethany pitching change. The pitching change did not turn out to be successful, as Bret Babcock brought in a run on a single to center and Hair cut the gap to 2 with an RBI groundout. After Wetherington drew a walk, the Panthers scored once more on a passed ball and then tied the game when Bokulich hit another single to right field. Fragela put Pitt-Bradford in front with a 2-run single up the middle. Another hit from Rogers reloaded the bases and forced the second Bethany pitching change of the frame. After the change, Prestash hit a hard liner right to shortstop that was turned into a quick double play to end the frame.
With momentum on their side, the Panthers looked to keep the hosts quiet in the bottom half, but could not as Stadler allowed a leadoff home run and then after a strikeout gave up a single and a walk. He was replaced by Jacob Sherdel, who quickly ended the threat with a fly ball to center and a popup behind the plate. The Panthers got the run right back in the 6th. After Avey singled to lead off the frame, he moved to third on a walk and a passed ball. He was then able to score when Hair grounded into a double play. In the bottom of the inning, Sherdel worked around a 2-out single and a walk to post another zero.
Sherdel's shutdown inning was rewarded in the 7th, as the Panthers tacked on 4 more runs. Hall led off with a double to right-center and then scored when Bokulich reached on a throwing error. After Fragela was hit by a pitch, Rogers dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but the throw across the infield was awry, allowing both runners to score. Rogers moved to third on a groundout and then scored when Avey reached on the third error of the inning. In the bottom of the 7th, Sherdel posted another zero, working around a leadoff walk and a double.
Pitt-Bradford tacked on an insurance run in the 8th as well. Wetherington singled into left to start the inning and then moved to second on a walk to Hall. He moved over to third when Bokulich flew out to right and then was able to score as a throw on a steal from Nico Hall went into the outfield. The Panthers were quiet in the 9th, while Sherdel slammed the door shut, retiring the last 6 batters in a row.
Jacob Sherdel (1-0) picked up the win with a strong relief effort. He pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks. He struck out a pair. Brandon Amidon Crawford picked up a no-decision after his start. He lasted 3.0 innings, allowing 5 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits and 4 free passes, while striking out one. Maddox Stadler allowed 2 earned in 1.1 innings pitched with one strikeout. All 9 Panthers recorded a hit in the game, with 4 posting multihit efforts. Evan Fragela was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Nico Hall and Andrew Bokulich each had 2 hits and 2 runs scored, while Aaron Hair finished 2 for 6 with an RBI.
The Panthers win the series and move to 2-1 on the season. They are scheduled to take on Waynesburg in a doubleheader tomorrow, but could face a postponement with inclement weather possibly moving into the area. First pitch is currently set for 12:00 p.m.
