Bradford, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team is poised for a return to play the March after over a year since their 2020 season came to an unexpected end.
The Panthers were off to a slow start in the win column in 2020, despite playing a strong early slate of games. They were 1-8 when their season ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their 9 games, the Panthers saw some strong performances by upperclass pitchers Jordan Uhing and Kerrigan Hoffmann. Uhing was 1-4 in the early going, posting a 2.97 era in 33 innings pitched. Her lone victory came in an 8-2 complete-game win over Dickinson. Hoffmann pitched 17 innings in 5 games, posting an early 1.65 ERA. Hoffmann was AMCC Pitcher of the Week after allowing no earned runs in 9 innings of work over two games against Fredonia.
Offensively, freshman outfielder Chloe Cordova was off to a quick start to her career. Cordova racked up 9 hits in 9 games, including 2 doubles and 2 triples. She had a .281 batting average, scored 5 runs, and drove in 5 more. Shortstop Gabby Carpenter had 8 hits in the early season, also driving in 5 runs. She also stole 4 bases.
“We are looking to overcome the past year. This team has continued to be resilient, hard-working and grateful for each day we get to play,” said head coach Tina Phillips who is in her 18th season at the helm of the program. “We have a great mix of upperclassmen to lead the way, which will be key since we have not had as much time as usual to prepare,” she added.
A big part of that upperclass core will be Jordan Uhing. Now in her senior year, Uhing will look to lead the Panthers from the circle. Prior to the season, she was selected as the AMCC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. This was awarded not only for her strong individual start to the 2020 season but also her2019 season. She won 14 games for the Panthers, which was the second-best total in the AMCC. She also was second in the conference in earned run average, where she posted a 2.23.
Also in her senior season, Gabby Carpenter will also look to build on her 2019 success. That season she posted a .368 batting average, tallying 46 hits and 31 runs scored. She also had a strong defensive season, fielding her position at a .923 clip. She was named 3rd team All-AMCC for her season.
The Panthers were selected to finish 3rd in the Preseason AMCC Coaches Poll. “We’re really looking forward to seeing where this season takes us,” said Phillips. They will begin their season on March 23rd when they play a non-conference doubleheader at Alfred State. Their first home game is scheduled for Saturday, April 3rd, against LaRoche.
