Waynesburg, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team used a 6-run rally in the 7th inning of game two to earn a split in their doubleheader at Waynesburg Sunday afternoon. The Panthers fell behind early and lost game one 6-3, and then came back to win the nightcap 7-2.
Game 1: Pitt-Bradford 3 - Waynesburg 6
Game one got off to a tough start for Pitt-Bradford, as the Panthers found themselves trailing Waynesburg 5-0 after two innings.
Despite a leadoff walk, Pitt-Bradford went down quietly in the first. The hosts took advantage, as two of the first three batters singled off of starter Shawn Mannering, and moved to scoring position on a bobble in the outfield. The Yellow Jackets took the lead with a sacrifice fly, before doubling their advantage with a single to left.
The Panthers stranded a pair on base in the second, and then Waynesburg rallied with two outs to score three more times. Mannering quickly retired the first two batters, but then allowed a single and a pair of walks to load the bases. Mannering nearly escaped the jam, but two singles through the left side brought in three runs, pushing the Waynesburg lead to 5-0.
Pitt-Bradford pulled two runs back in the top of the third, scoring without the benefit of a hit. Kyle Kimoto and Nico Hall both drew walks and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. With Evan Fragela at the plate, both runners scored on wild pitches. After the bases emptied, Fragela doubled to left center but became the second Panther to be thrown out stealing.
Jacob Sherdel replaced Mannering to start the 3rd. Despite allowing the first two batters to reach on a single and an error, Sherdel was able to settle down and limit the rally to one run. The runners advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt before the Jackets scored on an RBI groundout. Sherdel retired the next batter on another groundout to end the inning.
The Panthers saw their next two innings start strongly but hit into a pair of double-plays to scupper the rallies. In the mound, Sherdel set down the side in order, and then after allowing a single and a double with one out, struck out two straight batters to strand runners on second and third. Pitt-Bradford brought the game-tying run to the plate in the 6th, loading the bases with three walks, but could not come up with the clutch hit to cut into the lead.
After Sherdel posted another 0 in the 6th, the Panthers put together another rally in the 7th. They once again put three runners on base through free passes and then scored one on a sacrifice fly by Maxwell Rogers. Representing the tying run, Bret Babcock was retired swinging to end the game.
Shawn Mannering (3-2) received the loss after allowing 5 earned runs in 2.0 innings pitched. Jacob Sherdel pitched 4 innings in relief, allowing 1 unearned run on 4 hits without a walk. He struck out 3. The Panthers registered 4 hits in the game but also drew 9 walks. Blake Prestash was the only Panther to finish with multiple hits, finishing 2 for 2. Kyle Kimoto was 1 for 1 with a walk and scored two runs. Evan Fragela had a double and also reached twice on free passes.
Game 2: Pitt-Bradford 7 - Waynesburg 2
The second game of the doubleheader was a pitcher's duel for 6 innings, but Pitt-Bradford exploded for 6 runs in the 7th to earn a 7-2 victory.
Patrick Synan took the ball for game two and started strong, facing the minimum in the first and then stranding a pair of runners in the 2nd. After two quiet innings to start, the Panthers took the lead in the 3rd. Nico Hall led off the inning with an infield single and then moved to third when Andrew Bokulich reached on an error. He scored a batter later on a fielder's choice grounder by Evan Fragela.
The Pitt-Bradford lead did not last long as Waynesburg tied it in the bottom half of the inning. Synan struck out the first batter of the inning before allowing a runner to reach on a walk and take second on a wild pitch. After a fly out to center, Synan gave up a two-out hit to bring in the run and tie the game.
The Panthers were retired quickly in the 4th, and the hosts went back ahead with a run in the bottom of the inning. Synan allowed a one-out triple and then saw the Jackets take the lead on an infield single. Neither team was able to threaten in the 5th or 6th innings, sending the game to the 7th with Pitt-Bradford trailing 2-1.
Pinch hitter Jake Soricone led off the inning and reached on an error. Kyle Kimoto followed and beat out a bunt single. The next batter, Alex Ognen, dropped down a sacrifice bunt but was able to reach on an errant throw. Soricone scored on the error, tying the game at 2. Hall came to the plate next and hit a grounder back to the mound. The Waynesburg pitcher knocked the ball down, but his throw to the plate was not in time, giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead with 0 outs in the inning. After another sacrifice bunt from Bokulich, Fragela was given an intentional pass, loading the bases for Maxwell Rogers. Rogers swung on the first pitch of the at-bat and crushed a long no-doubt home run to left, extending the lead to 7-2.
Joe Long replaced Synan in the bottom of the 7th and made quick work of Waynesburg. He retired the leadoff batter on a lineout and then following a single to left, induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Patrick Synan (2-1) picked up the win. He allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks over 6.0 innings pitched. He struck out 4 batters. Joe Long pitched a scoreless 7th. Maxwell Rogers only had one hit on the day, but it was a big one, a 7th-inning grand slam. Kyle Kimoto went 2 for 3 in the game with a run scored. Nico Hall scored twice, while Evan Fragela scored one run and drove in another.
Pitt-Bradford moves to 7-12 on the season. They will be back on the road on Thursday, as they will travel to Meadville, Pa. to take on Allegheny in a 9-inning contest. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m.
