Fort Myers, FL -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team returned to action in Fort Myers, Fla. on Sunday as they faced Rockford in a pair of seven-inning contests. The Panthers struggled to get started offensively, and despite late rallies, could not catch the Regals, dropping the games 5-4 and 4-1.

Game One: Rockford 5 - Pitt-Bradford 4

In the opener, the Panthers allowed Rockford to jump out to a 5-0 lead before rallying late. The Panthers cut the deficit to 1 in the sixth, but could not complete the comeback, falling 5-4.

Jacob Sherdel got the start for Pitt-Bradford and ran into trouble right off the bat. The leadoff batter reached on an error, and then Sherdel allowed a double to left, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd. The first run scored on a sacrifice fly before Rockford pushed their lead to 3 with a single and a double. The Panthers were able to cut down a runner at third and then got out of the inning a batter later.

After the Panthers left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Rockford tacked on another run in the 2nd. The leadoff batter reached on a single and then moved to third on a bunt and a stolen base. Another sacrifice fly brought in the 4th run before Sherdel ended the inning. The Panthers threatened to score in the second, but were slowed by a double play. 

Sherdel stranded runners on base in the 3rd and 4th frames. Pitt-Bradford loaded the bases with two walks and an infield single in the bottom of the 4th, but could not finish the rally with a hit and left three runners on after a strikeout and a fielder's choice.

Rockford tacked on a run with a two-out double in the 5th, but the Panthers answered, finally getting on the board in the bottom half. Alex Colwell reached on a one-out single to center, and then moved into scoring position when Trent Bielak drew a walk. Following a flyout, Seth Helgert reached on a Rockford error, which allowed Colwell to score. Kenny Nickson III stepped to the plate next, looking to cut the lead to 2, but his line drive was right at the left fielder, ending the threat. 

Sherdel posted a shutdown inning in the 6th, working around a double, and was rewarded, as the Panthers scored three more times to cut the deficit to one. Ethan Obergfell led off the inning with a single and then moved to third on an error on a bunt attempt by Grant Casses. Alex Ognen brought in a run with an RBI groundout before the Panthers brought in another with a double steal. After Aiden Zimmerman moved to third on a wild pitch, Colwell lifted a sacrifice fly to left to drive him in. 

Kristian Kocon replaced Sherdel in the 7th. The Regals loaded the bases on the freshman with a single, an error, and a walk, but he was able to induce an inning-ending double play to get the Panthers back to the plate, trailing by one. In the bottom half, Seth Helgert reached base with a one-out single, and then stole second as Nickson was retired on strikes. He moved to third on a wild pitch, but Obergfell's ensuing ground ball was stopped in the infield, and he was thrown out at first, ending the game.

Jacob Sherdel (0-2) picked up the loss despite a strong start. He lasted 6 innings, allowing 5 runs, 3 earned. He struck out one. Kristian Kocon pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Offensively, Ethan Obergfell was the only Panther to have a multi-hit game, as he finished 2 for 4 with a run scored. Grant Casses had the only extra-base hit for Pitt-Bradford, a 2nd-inning double. Alex Ognen and Alex Colwell each drove in a run for the Panthers. 

Game Two: Rockford 4 - Pitt-Bradford 1

In the nightcap, the Panthers fell behind after a 4-run frame in the 3rd and were never able to form a rally, eventually falling 4-1.

Maddox Stadler got the start for the Panthers and got off on the right foot, working around a one-out double to post a scoreless first. In the second, Levi Laser reached on an infield single, but was left stranded, and Stadler retired the side, moving the contest to the third quickly. 

The Panthers went down in order in the top half of the inning, and then fell behind as the Regals scored 4 times in the bottom of the frame. Stadler allowed a leadoff single and then made a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. He forced in a run with a walk and a hit batter before getting the first out of the frame on a strikeout. Stadler was not able to get out of the jam without further damage, as the Regals added three more runs on a double and a sacrifice fly. 

Pitt-Bradford put runners in scoring position in the next two frames, as Trent Bielak doubled in the 4th and Logan McConnell and Grant Casses were each hit by pitches in the 5th. Unfortunately, the Panthers could not find a hit to bring them in. Stadler responded to the difficult 3rd inning, limiting Rockford to just one hit over the next three innings. 

On the 7th, the Panthers mounted a rally, looking to tie the game. Mallick Metcalfe led off the frame with a single and then moved to third when Laser doubled to right. Alan Compres brought in Metcalfe with an infield single, but the rally stopped shortly after that as the next three Panthers were retired to end the game. 

Maddox Stadler (1-1) picked up the loss despite a strong outing on the hill. He pitched all 6 innings, allowing 4 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits. He struck out 3. Levi Laser went 2 for 3 with a double, while Trent Bielak also had an extra-base hit. Alan Compres drove in the only Panther run, finishing 1-3.

The Panthers fall to 1-7 on the season with the sweep. They will have two days to regroup before returning to action with a single 9-inning game against Haverford on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 9:00 a.m.