Bethany, WV -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team was back in action in Bethany, WV, on Saturday, playing its second consecutive doubleheader against the Bison. The Panthers dropped the opener 5-3, but then battled back to win game two 7-2.
Game 1 - Bethany 5 - Pitt-Bradford 3
In game one, the Panthers fell behind in the first, but stayed within a run until a crooked frame in the 5th saw the deficit grow to 5. The Panthers rallied late, but ultimately fell 5-3.
The Panthers tallied a pair of singles in the top of the first, but both runners were picked off at first base, leading to a scoreless frame. Jacob Sherdel got the start for the Panthers and allowed a run in the bottom half on a pair of hits and a stolen base.
After a quiet 2nd, the Panthers look to even the score in the 3rd. Ethan Obergfell led off the inning with a single and then moved to second on a bunt. Alex Ognen drew a walk before both runners advanced on a fly ball to center. Noah Avey had a chance to bring them in, but grounded out to short, ending the frame. Sherdel worked to keep the deficit at one, allowing lone singles in the 3rd and 4th frames.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Bison were able to rally with two outs to score 4 times. They strung together 3 consecutive singles, and on the third, an error in the outfield allowed both runners to score. The next batter hit a home run that pushed the lead to 5-0 and chased Sherdel from the game. He was replaced by freshman Kristian Kocon, who was making his collegiate debut. Kocon allowed a double and a walk, but induced a groundout to first to end the frame without further damage.
Trailing 5-0, the Panthers looked to rally in the 6th as they loaded the bases with one out after two free passes and an error. Seth Helgert got the Panthers on the board with a line drive single to left, bringing in Avey. The Bison followed the run with a pitching change, which was effective, as the next two Panthers were retired, ending the threat. Kocon allowed a leadoff single in the bottom half, but set the next three down to send the game to the 7th.
Needing 4 runs in the 7th, the Panthers put together a late rally. Ognen led off the frame and was hit by a pitch. He stole second, and then a batter later scored when Avey doubled off the fence in right field. Trent Bielak cut the deficit to two, but after a pitching change, was left stranded on base as the next two Panthers went down swinging to end the game.
Jacob Sherdel (0-1) got the loss after allowing 5 runs in 4.2 innings of work. He struck out 6. Kristian Kocon pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing 2 hits. Noah Avey led the charge offensively, finishing 1 for 3 with an RBI double and 2 runs scored. Trent Bielak and Seth Helgert also had RBI singles.
Game Two: Pitt-Bradford 7 - Bethany 2
The Panthers struck back in the final game of the weekend, using two big innings to defeat the Bison 7-2.
Alex Ognen led off with an infield single in the first, but was quickly doubled off after a diving catch in right field. For the third time in four games, the Bison got on the board in the first. Starting pitcher Maddox Stadler allowed a one-out triple to center, followed by a sac flyto let the run score.
After a scoreless 2nd, the Panthers put together a rally in the 3rd, scoring 3 times. Obergfell and Aiden Zimmerman each reached on an error to begin the frame, before Ognen drew a walk to load the bases. Following a shallow fly out, Avey slapped a single through the left side of the infield to drive in two and put the Panthers ahead. A batter later, Trent Bielak drove a single up the middle, bringing in Ognen. Stadler worked around a one-out walk to post a shutdown inning in the bottom half.
Neither team scored in the 4th, but the Panthers exploded for another big inning in the 5th, tacking on 4 runs. Zimmerman led off the frame with a bang, hitting a long home run to left field. It was the first four-bagger for the Panthers this season. Ognen followed with a double down the left field line, and then Seth Helgert reached on a dropped fly ball. Avey followed the error with a double to left center, bringing home his third run of the game. The Bison changed pitchers after the double, and Alex Colwell and Bielak each drove in an additional run with sacrifice flies.
Stadler went back to the hill for the bottom of the inning, and despite allowing runners to reach on a walk and a double, he picked one runner off and struck out another to post his second shutdown inning of the game. The Panthers put a runner on in both the 6th and 7th innings, but could not add to their lead. Carter Leviski pitched the 6th inning for Pitt-Bradford, allowing a solo home run, and Ethan Zimmerman pitched the 7th, setting down the side in order.
Maddox Stadler (1-0) got the win for the Panthers, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits in 5.0 innings pitched. Carter Leviski allowed 1 run in 1 inning pitched, while Ethan Zimmerman tossed a 1-2-3 7th. Four separate Panthers recorded multihit games in the win. Noah Avey was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and a double. Alex Ognen went 3-3 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and a walk. Trent Bielak had 2 hits and 2 runs batted in, while Aiden Zimmerman finished 1 for 3 with a solo home run.
The Panthers finish their opening road trip 1-3. They will be back in action in two weeks, when they head to Fort Myers, Fla., for Spring Break. They will start their time at the Gene Kusic Classic with a doubleheader against Augustana.
