Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team made up their doubleheader with Baldwin Wallace originally scheduled for March 18th on Monday, losing both games of the doubleheader by scores of 9-1 and 7-5.

Game 1 - 

The Panther offense sputtered in the opener as they were limited to just one hit in a 9-1 loss.

The game got off to a tough start as the Panthers fell behind after just two batters. The Yellow Jackets leadoff batter bunted and moved all the way to third on a throwing error before scoring the opening run a batter later on a single to center. Baldwin Wallace put two runners on as the next batter also singled, but starting pitcher Krislyn Clement was able to limit the damage as the next two batters were retired on a popup and a strikeout before Marguerite DeFranco threw out a potential base stealer to end the inning.

The Panther offense was overwhelmed by BW starter Hannah Welling and was unable to put a runner on base through the first four innings of play. In that span, the Yellow Jackets would slowly add to their lead, scoring with two out hits in the second, third, and fourth innings to build a 5-0 lead. Clement pitched the first three innings of the game, as planned for the non-conference matchup, and was relieved by Ashley Stein in the 4th. 

Stein was able to post the Panther's first zero of the game in the 5th inning with plenty of help from her battery mate, DeFranco. The senior backstop threw out two more base runners in the frame, bringing her total of the game to four. The Panthers were finally able to put a runner on in the 5th, as Lexi Peters was able to drop a single into right field, but the success was short-lived. The inning came to a quick and abrupt end as the next batter struck out before a lineout to the right side resulted in an inning-ending double play. 

Baldwin Wallace rallied again with two outs in the 6th as they were able to break open the game with an RBI single followed by a two-run home run to left. Trailing 8-0, the Panthers needed a run to extend the game into the 7th and were able to do so without a hit. DeFranco led off the inning and went down swinging, but the third strike was on a wild pitch, and she was able to beat the throw to first to reach base. A strikeout and a groundout put DeFranco on second base and she was able to score with two outs as Chloe Cordova hit a tough ground ball to second that resulted in an error, allowing DeFranco to round third and score the Panther run. 

The Yellow Jackets quickly answered the run in the 7th with back-to-back doubles, but Stein limited further damage as the next two batters flew out to left and popped up to short. The Panthers were set down in order in the bottom of the inning, ending the contest.

Krislyn Clement (4-5) received the loss after allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, in 3.0 innings of work. She struck out one. Ashley Stein also struck out one in four innings of relief duty, allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, in the span. Lexi Peters registered the lone hit for the Panthers, while Marguerite DeFranco scored the only run. DeFranco was stellar behind the plate, as she threw out four potential base stealers in the game.

Game 2:

The Panthers got off to a better start in game two, taking the lead in the 2nd and 5th innings, but could not hold off the Yellow Jackets, eventually falling 7-5.

Lindsay Steele started the game for the Panthers and got out to a strong start, keeping the visitors off the board in the first two frames. She allowed a single in each inning but limited Baldwin Wallace to just one base runner in each frame. She was rewarded in the 2nd, as the Panthers were able to break open the scoring. Lexi Peters led off the inning and lined a single through the right side of the infield. She took second on a wild pitch and then was able to score as Steele reached on an error on the 2nd baseman. The Panthers put another runner on with a second error in the inning before an out was recorded, but would not add to the lead. 

The lead did not last long, however, as the Yellow Jackets quickly struck for 3 runs in the 3rd. They put a pair of runners on base with a bunt single, followed by an infield hit. Stolen bases put the runners on 2nd and 3rd, and then a groundout to first base allowed the tying run to score. Baldwin Wallace took the lead after a walk, as Steele gave up a double into the gap in right center, scoring two. The guests were able to retire the Panthers in order in the bottom half, keeping the momentum in the first base dugout. 

Steele was relieved by Ashton Beckerink to start the 4th inning, but remained in the game, moving to first base. Beckerink walked the first batter she faced and then induced a pair of ground balls, but the Panthers were only able to get one out on the plays. With two runners on, Beckerink was able to escape the inning without further damage, striking out the next two Yellow Jackets to end the frame. Steele hit a one-out single in the 4th but was not able to advance as the inning ended two batters later. 

The deficit grew to 4-1 in the top of the 5th after a one-out walk was followed by a run-scoring double. Baldwin Wallace put another runner on in the inning, but Beckerink limited further damage, retiring the next two with a strikeout and a soft lineout to short. The Panthers were able to rally in the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs with two outs to take a 5-4 lead. Sadie Wood reached on an error to begin the inning and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a fly out to center, Lexi Najdusak lined a single into right field to bring in Wood and cut the deficit to 2. Daytona Wentzel was able to hit a single through the left side, putting runners on the corners with two outs. Peters, who had been the biggest offensive threat on the day for the Panthers came through in the clutch, hitting a line drive into left center. Her hit was into the gap and landed directly on top of the fence, bouncing over it for a three-run home run, Peters' third of the season. 

The lead did not last long, as the first three batters of the 6th singled to tie the game. After the third hit, Steele returned to the circle but allowed two runs to score on a fielder's choice and an RBI groundout before ending the inning. In the bottom of the inning, pinch hitter Morgan Maybee was able to single through the right side with one down but did not advance further.

Steele retired the side in order in the 7th, setting up a thrilling finish in the bottom of the inning. Chloe Cordova led off the inning with a walk but was unable to advance as the next two batters went down on a fly out to right and a strikeout. Peters was next to the plate, looking to keep the inning alive. She hit a short pop-up over second base, but the ball was not handled in the infield, dropping into center, putting the tying run on base with two outs. Marguerite DeFranco pinch hit, looking to extend the game, but she was forced into a pop-up in foul territory, ending the game. 

Starting pitcher Lindsay Steele eventually finished with 5 innings pitched and a no-decision. She allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. Ashton Beckerink (1-4) picked up the loss, as she allowed 3 runs in 2 innings pitched. She struck out 4 batters. Lexi Peters finished the game 2 for 4, scoring two runs and hitting a three-run home run, her third of the year. Lexi Najdusak also drove in a run. 

The Panthers fall to 7-17 after the sweep. They will look to get back on track on Wednesday, as they will play another non-conference double dip, traveling to Meadville to take on Allegheny. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.