Meadville, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team was back in action on Wednesday as they traveled to Meadville, Pa. for a non-conference doubleheader with Allegheny. The Panthers struggled against a strong Gator pitching staff, as they were held off the scoreboard on the day, losing game one 4-0 and game two 8-0 in five innings.
Game 1 -
The Panthers were unable to get the offense started in the opener, as they were held to just two hits in the game. The first eleven Panthers to come to the plate were retired, but starting pitcher Lindsay Steele was able to keep the Panthers in the game as she held the hosts scoreless through three innings. She stranded runners in scoring position in both the first and third innings and set the side down in order in the second.
The Panthers were able to put their first runner on base with two outs in the fourth, as Daytona Wentzel hit a two-out double to center. She was unable to advance any further, however, as Steele was retired on a ground out to end the inning. Allegheny was also able to get their offense jump-started in the 4th as they used four hits to score a pair of runs. Steele struck out the lead-off batter but saw the next two batters reach on doubles. With runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, Steele nearly escaped the jam as she struck out a batter and then got a soft chopper in front of the plate, but the Allegheny batter was able to beat the throw to first to bring in the first run of the game. The hosts added a second run on another single before the inning came to an end.
Pitt-Bradford went down in order in the 5th and then saw the deficit grow to three as Allegheny came up with another two-out hit to bring in the run. The Gators struck out the side in the top of the 6th and quickly added a fourth run on a double, sacrifice bunt, and RBI groundout. The hosts were able to put two runners on after the urn, but MArguerite DeFranco was able to throw out a base stealer to end the threat.
Needing four runs in the 7th, the Panthers were able to start a rally, but could not push any runs across. Wentzel beat out an infield single for her second hit of the day and then stole second. After Rachel Przybysz drew a two-out walk, Morgan MAybee lined out to short to end the game.
Lindsay Steele (1-4) picked up the loss despite a strong performance. She scattered 10 hits, allowing 4 earned runs in 6.0 innings pitched. She struck out 4 batters. Daytona Wentzel was the only Panther to record a hit in the game. She had a double in the 4th and a single in the 7th.
Game 2 -
The nightcap saw the Panthers battle the Gators for four frames, but a big 5th inning saw the hosts bring the game to an early end.
The Panthers were only able to put a runner on through an error in the first, and the Gators took an early lead in their half of the inning. They strung together four two-out singles on starting pitcher Ashley Stein to take an early lead, but she was able to strand three runners as she struck out the final batter of the frame to limit the damage.
Pitt-Bradford was able to put a runner on in both the 2nd and 3rd innings but could not break through. Stein kept the deficit at one in the same duration, working around a walk in the 2nd and a pair of singles in the 3rd to keep the deficit at one.
The Panthers had their best chance to score in the fourth. Meghan Kapp reached on an infield single to start the rally and then moved to second as Rachel Przybysz reached on an error. Sadie Wood followed the error with a single through the left side to load the bases with one out. Ashton Beckerink pitch hit for Stein but flew out to shallow right field before a fielder's choice groundout saw the inning come to a close.
Beckerink remained in the game as the pitcher four the 4th inning and gave up a tough run. She walked the leadoff batter and then saw the runner move all the way to third on a bunt single. Beckerink retired the next three in a row but allowed the run to score on an RBI groundout. Chloe Cordova doubled to left center to start the 5th and moved to third base with two outs after a groundout, but the Panthers were unable to come through with the big hit to bring in the run as Kapp grounded out to end the inning.
Trailing 2-0 in the 5th, Krislyn Clement relieved Beckerink in the circle and ran into trouble quickly. Before she could record an out, the Gators were able to score four runs on two hits, an error, a wild pitch, and a pair of walks. The Panthers got the first out of the inning on a bunt, but then quickly saw the game come to a close as the next batter hit a two-run double to center, putting the Gators up 8-0 and ending the contest.
Ashley Stein (1-4) picked up the loss after allowing 1 run over 3.0 innings pitched. She struck out one batter and also added a hit at the plate. Ashton Beckerink allowed 1 run in 1 inning of work and Krislyn Clement was tagged for 6 runs, 5 earned in 1/3 of an inning. Sadie Wood had a pair of singles in the game and Chloe Cordova hit a double in the 5th.
The Panthers fall to 7-19 with the losses. After four games against tough non-conference opposition, the Panthers will return to AMCC play over the weekend. They will host Penn State-Altoona on Saturday Along with the action on the field, the team has paired with the University's chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a non-profit organization that works to break the stigma regarding mental health in athletics. The games are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
