Houghton, NY -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team continued its AMCC schedule on Thursday as it took on Alfred State at Pegula Field in Houghton, NY. The Panthers jumped out to a 10-0 lead, and then, after allowing the hosts to cut the lead to 3, scored five times in the 8th to secure a 15-7 victory.
Following a quiet opening frame, the Panthers took the lead in the top of the 2nd, scoring 5 runs in the frame. Trent Bielak led off with a double to right center, and then Ethan Obergfell hit a two-bagger to left to put the Panthers in front. After a sacrifice bunt, Alex Ognen grounded a single up the middle to drive him in. The next two batters reached on free passes before Mallick Metcalfe drove in a pair with another hit up the middle. Noah Avey drew a 4-pitch walk, which forced a Pioneer pitching change, and then Alex Colwell also earned a free pass to force in a run. Pitt-Bradford starting pitcher Jacob Sherdel made quick work of the Pioneers in the bottom half, retiring the side in order to record a shutdown inning.
The Panthers rewarded him in the next frame, posting another 5-run frame to double their advantage. Obergfell led off with a single and then moved into scoring position on another sacrifice bunt. Following a pop-up, the next 8 Pitt-Bradford batters would reach. Grant Casses singled up the middle, and then Aiden Zimmerman lined a triple into the gap in right-center. He went into third standing up, and then the throw from the outfield got away, allowing him to score. Metcalfe restarted the inning with a single before a throwing error in the infield extended the inning. Another walk reloaded the bases before consecutive balks allowed two more Pitt-Bradford runs to score. Sherdel allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the inning, but then, after the runner was thrown out stealing, retired two in a row for another shutdown frame.
In the 5th, the Panthers looked to add to their lead when Noah Avey led off with a double to left, and Alex Colwell followed with a walk. Unfortunately, the rally ended as quickly as it started, as the next three Panthers were retired to end the frame. The hosts struck back in the bottom of the fifth inning. After an error to start the frame, Sherdel allowed a two-run home run. He struck out the next batter, but then allowed a triple to right center and a sacrifice fly to left, cutting the lead to 7.
Pitt-Bradford went down 1-2-3 in the 6th, and the Pioneers continued to rally in their half of the inning. Sherdel walked the leadoff batter and then allowed a second two-run home run to left. Carter Leviski replaced him after the blast and quickly gave up a single and a double to allow another run. Two batters later, Alfred State brought in their 7th run on a sacrifice fly to trim the advantage to 3.
Following another shutdown inning, the Pioneers threatened to score again in the 7th. LEviski allowed a leadoff single, and then saw the runner advance to third on a groundout to first and a fly ball to center. He was able to escape the inning unscathed, as he induced a groundout to second base to strand the runner.
The Panthers struck back in the top of the 8th, posting their 3rd 5-run inning of the game to extend their lead. Obergfell doubled to start the inning, and then after a flyout, Ognen doubled down the left field line to drive him in. After a pitching change, the next 3 Panthers drew walks to force in a run and another change on the mound. A fourth consecutive walk brought in the third run of the game, and then Colwell drove one in with a sacrifice fly to right. Bielak was hit by a pitch to continue the inning before Metcalfe was able to score on a wild pitch. Ethan Zimmerman replaced Leviski to start the 8th and retired all three batters he faced in the frame.
Two Panthers drew more walks in the 9th, but Pitt-Bradford could not tack on to their lead in the last inning. In the bottom of the frame, Zimmerman allowed a one-out walk, but ended the game with two flyouts.
Jacob Sherdel (1-3) picked up the win after allowing 5 runs, 3 earned in 5+ innings of work. Carter Leviski allowed 2 earned runs in 2 innings pitched, while Ethan Zimmerman allowed just a walk in two scoreless frames. Offensively, the Panthers pounded out 13 hits, while also remaining patient and drawing 13 free passes. Aiden Zimmerman led the way, going 3 for 4 with 3 walks, a triple, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI. Ethan Obergfell also had three hits, finishing 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, and one run driven in. Mallick Metcalfe went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Alex Ognen was 2 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.
The win moves the Panthers to 7-13 on the season, and 3-2 in AMCC play. They are scheduled to be back in action on Saturday, April 4th, when they host Alfred State in an AMCC doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.
