CRESSON, Pa. – The Pitt-Bradford softball team got back on the dirt as they split a doubleheader with Mount Aloysius Sunday, winning the first game 8-5 in extra innings and falling in game two, 10-9.

The Panthers came away victorious in the first game behind a big game from junior Leann Bell (Lance/West Branch) who went a perfect 3-3 in the game with three RBIs.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the first after Bell cashed in on one of her three RBIs on the day, driving in junior Amber Fox (Warren/Youngsville) to give Pitt-Bradford an early 1-0 lead.

The bats went quiet for the Panthers until the fifth inning when a pair of walks to senior Courtney Schuler (Smethport/Smethport) and senior Bri Stenta (Ridgway/Ridgway) set up Bell to bring them in with a base hit to put the Panthers up 3-0.

The Mounties and Panthers continued to score runs in the later innings as Pitt-Bradfrod headed to the bottom of the seventh with a 5-2 lead.

With their backs against the wall, the Mounties rallied with a series of hits to comeback and tie the game up at 5-5 and force extra innings.

The Panthers would answer the call as they posted three runs in the eighth after Fox scored on a passed ball and senior Ang Comilla (Bradford/Bradford) drove home two runners with a base hit.

Mount Aloysius threatened in the eighth with two runners on but couldn't complete the comeback.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the tables were turned as the Mounties came out of the gate with an explosion of offense. 
Mount Aloysius put up six runs in the first three innings as they took a commanding 6-1 lead.

The Mounties offense continued to keep their foot on the gas as they posted three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead to 9-3.

The bats came alive for Pitt-Bradford in the fifth after RBIs from Stenta, senior Heidi Lucke (Canton, MI/Canton), freshman Brenna Gustin (Wellsville/Bolivar-Richburg) and senior Meagan Hillard (Bradford/Bradford) tied the game up at 9-9, giving the Panthers new life. 
An RBI fielder's choice in the bottom of the fifth became the deciding factor in game two as the Panthers went scoreless after their fifth inning rally.

Pitt-Bradford head coach Tina Phillips said, "We battled back a lot today. I am pleased with today since it's the first time out in over two weeks. Hopefully we can get some momentum this week."

The Panthers will take the field next as they host D'Youville on March 31 at 3 p.m.