Naples, Fl. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team began its week in Florida on a winning note as they defeated Clark University 13-4.

Playing as the home team, the Panthers were able to put up a zero in the first frame as starting pitcher Krislyn Clement was able to work around a bunt single and a walk to strand runners on second and third. The Panthers were also held scoreless in the first, as Faith McLaughlin was unable to score after leading off with a walk.

Clark was able to jump ahead in the 2nd, as two wild pitches after a leadoff single led to a Cougar run. The Panthers struck back in the bottom half of the inning to tie even up at one. MArguerite DeFranco led off the inning with a walk and then moved to second when Madison Camp grounded out. Hannah Fisher dropped a two-out single into center, bringing in DeFranco to tie the game.

Clement was not able to keep the momentum with the Panthers, as the Cougars quickly retook the lead. After a leadoff double, Clement threw three wild pitches, allowing the Cougars to score twice without putting the ball in play. They took a 4-1 lead after a single up the middle. Following a second consecutive hit, Clement was able to settle down and retire three straight batters to end the inning with no further damage.

Pitt-Bradford picked up their freshman pitcher in the bottom half, exploding for 8 runs to move into the lead. McLaughlin led off with a single, which was followed by two more singles from Chloe Cordova and Daytona Wentzel, loading the bases. Lexi Peters came through with a big single down the left-field line to score two. DeFranco then hit a single to center, the 5th consecutive single of the frame, reloading the bases and chasing Clark's starting pitcher. 

After the pitching change, Clement grounded into a fielders choice at the plate, but Camp was able to deliver another single to left to tie the game at 4. After a strikeout, Rachel Przybysz singled up the middle to put the Panthers in front. A 6th run scored as McLaughlin reached on an error and then two more singles, a cue shot from Cordova, and a line drive to left for Wentzel, each brought in another run. Finally, Peters drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring home the 8th run of the inning. 

Clement allowed the lead-off runner to single and take second on a wild pitch, before inducing an infield pop-up for the first out. After the out, she was replaced by Ashley Stein, who quickly retired the next two batters to finish the shutdown inning. Stein led off the bottom half of the inning, singling into centerfield, she was able to score a batter later when Camp reached on a fielder's choice, with the throw to second base missing the mark and going into right field. With two outs, the Panthers scored two more, as after a Cordova single, an error in the outfield allowed Przybysz and Camp to round the bases and score. Cordova moved to third on the play and then scored when Wentzel dropped a single into right.

Stein returned to the circle for the 5th and worked around a two-out hit batter to finish the game with a strikeout.

Krislyn Clement (1-0) picked up her first career win after allowing 4 earned runs in 3.1 innings pitched. striking out one. Stein pitched the final 1 and 2/3 scoreless, allowing just a hit batter. Two batters finished with three hits each for the Panthers. Chloe Cordova went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, and a sacrifice bunt. Daytona Wentzel was 3 for 4 with two runs driven in. Lexi Peters had 3 RBIs in the game, while Rachel Przybysz finished 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI.

The Panthers (1-0) will take on Anna Maria in their second game of the day later this afternoon.