Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team returned to action after an eleven-day hiatus, as they traveled to Westminster for a doubleheader. The Panthers were unable to get their offense on track, as they lost the games 8-0 and 11-0, both finishing in five innings.
Game One:
The opener saw the Panthers stick with the hosts through 4 innings, but ran into a late rally in the 5th, ending the game early.
The Panther offense seemed to be off to a good start, as Faith McLaughlin and Daytona Wentzel each singled in the first, but they were unable to add to them as McLaughlin was thrown out stealing second and Wentzel did not advance.
Starting pitcher Krislyn Clement ran into trouble right away, as the first three batters of the game reached on a pair of walks and a bunt single. She was able to settle in, however, allowing just one run to score on a sacrifice fly while inducing two other popups in the infield to escape further damage.
The Panthers were unable to come up with a hit in the next two innings, and after Clement put up a zero in the second, the Titans tacked on a run in the 3rd. Clement retired the first two batters of the frame on groundouts, but then allowed a single, walk, and single to score the run.
Pitt-Bradford threatened in the 4th as Wentzel picked up her second hit of the day with a base hit up the middle. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but was left stranded to end the inning. Clement retired the side in order in the bottom half of the inning.
The Panthers registered their 4th hit in the fifth inning as Rachel Przybysz rapped a single back up the middle, but went down quickly. The Titans took advantage of the sputtering Panther offense and a loss of control in the bottom of the inning, scoring six runs to end the game. After the first two batters of the inning reached on a single and a double, the Titans scored their third run on a sacrifice fly. Following a walk, they added another run on a double before Clement walked the next three straight batters, allowing two more runs to score. Clement was lifted for Ashley Stein, who did not fare any better, walking both batters she faced to bring in the final two runs.
Despite the strong start, Krislyn Clement (2-2) picked up the loss after allowing 8 earned runs in 4 and 1/3 innings pitched. She struck out one. Ashley Stein faced two batters, walking them both. The Panthers struggled offensively, as they were only able to muster four hits. Daytona Wentzel had two of them, while Faith McLaughlin and Rachel Przybysz each added one.
Game Two:
Things did not improve for the Panthers in the second game, as they fell behind early, were not able to record a hit, and committed 5 errors in the loss.
The Panthers went down in order in the first, and then quickly fell behind 3-0. The Titans scored the runs on two hits, two walks, and two errors before an out was recorded. Starting pitcher Lindsay Steele escaped further damage as the inning came to a quick end on a double play and a ground out to third.
After the Panthers were retired 1-2-3 in the 2nd, the hosts doubled their lead. Steele retired the first batter on a foul out but then hit a batter and then allowed a single. Following a double steal, the Titans scored two runs on a single to left. The runner was able to steal second and third and then score on a sacrifice fly.
Another quick inning put the Panthers back on the field after three batters, but Steele was able to settle down and record a 1-2-3 inning of her own. She retired the first batter on a grounder back to the circle and then struck out the next two to end the frame.
Pitt-Bradofrd got their first runner of the game in the 4th as Faith McLaughlin drew a leadoff walk, but she was quickly erased on the basepaths by a double play. Daytona Wentzel drew a second walk in the inning but did not advance as the next batter was retired.
Ashton Beckerink replaced Steele in the circle for the 4th. She was able to get the first three batters she faced two hit ground balls in the infield, but two of them were misplayed for errors, allowing the inning to continue. Westminster took advantage of the errors, adding four more runs through an RBI single and a 3-run home run.
Needing three runs to extend the game, the Panthers were able to get one runner on with a one-out walk to Madison Camp, but the game quickly ended two batters later after consecutive ground balls to third.
Lindsay Steele (0-3) picks up the loss after allowing 6 runs, 5 earned, on 4 hits and 2 walks. She struck out two. Ashton Beckerink was tagged for 5 unearned runs in one inning of work. The Panthers were not able to pick up a hit in the game. The first 9 batters of the contest went down in order, but Pitt-Bradford was able to put 3 runners on through walks in their final two at-bats. Faith McLaughlin, Daytona Wentzel, and Madison Camp all reached base.
The Panthers (4-10) are scheduled to open their home slate next Monday, March 27th when they host Grove City for a doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
