Bradford, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team hosted Hilbert on Friday afternoon, making up a game that was postponed earlier this week. The Panthers got off to a slow start, allowing 5 runs in the top of the first, and were not able to complete the comeback, ultimately falling 7-5.
Jacob Sherdel got the start for the Panthers and fell behind early. He retired the leadoff batter, but then allowed a pair of hits with one out. Sherdel got the second out of the inning on a strikeout before the visitors opened the scoring with a single to center. Sherdel looked to get out of the inning, but the next three batters all reached on errors, allowing four more runs to score in the frame. The inning finally came to an end when catcher Logan McConnell threw out a runner attempting to steal. The Panthers were not able to get anything going in their half of the opening frame, as all three batters went down on strikes.
After a quiet second inning for both teams, the Hawks looked primed to add to their lead after putting a pair of runners in scoring position on a leadoff single and a double to right. Sherdel was able to escape the inning unscathed, as Mallick Metcalfe snagged a line drive at third base and ran to the bag for the inning-ending double play.
The Panthers got on the board in the 4th, using two walks and a pair of hits. Alex Ognen led off the inning with a walk, and then moved to second on a Noah Avey single up the middle. After a pop-up, Trent Bielak also hit a single back up the middle to drive in Ognen. Metcalfe drew a walk to load the bases, but Pitt-Bradford was unable to cash in, as the Hawks forced out a runner at the plate for the second out of the inning and then struck out a batter to end the threat.
Hilbert got the run right back in the top of the 5th. Sherdel walked the leadoff batter and then gave up a single to put runners on the corners. He struck out a batter before allowing a single to left to drive in the run. He retired the next two batters on a groundout and a line drive to center, stranding a pair of runners in scoring position.
After hitting the leadoff batter in the top of the 6th, Sherdel was replaced by Maddox Stadler. Stadler needed just three pitches to get out of the inning, inducing a 6-4-3 double play and a groundout to short. The Panthers rallied in their half of the inning, cutting the lead to three. Alex Colwell drew a one-out walk and then moved to second when Bielak reached on an error. Metcalfe loaded the bases with a single through the left side, and then, after a strikeout, McConnell was hit by a pitch, and Grant Casses walked to force in a run each. Following a pitching change, Aiden Zimmerman fouled out to end the rally.
Stadler set down the side in order in the top of the 7th, and Pitt-Bradford looked to continue the rally in the bottom half. Avey and Colwell each reached on free passes with one out before Trent Bielak stepped to the plate as the tying run. Bielak drove a 2-2 pitch to deep left field, but the ball was caught against the fence, and Avey was thrown out trying to move to third, quickly ending the threat.
Stadler pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the 8th, and the Panthers stranded a pair in the bottom of the inning to send the game to the final frame with the Panthers trailing 6-3. In the 9th, Stadler allowed a leadoff double down the right field line, and then got the next two outs on a sacrifice bunt and a sharp grounder to second. He nearly got out of the inning without allowing a run, but a Hilbert single squeaked up the middle to drive in the run.
Needing 4 runs to extend the game, the Panthers got off to a strong start in the 9th. Ognen and Avey each singled through the right side before Colwell drove in a run with a groundout to second. After a flyball to right, Metcalfe extended the game, singling down the right field line to bring in Avey and cut the lead to two. Ethan Obergfell came to the plate as the tying run, but was retired on a fly ball to left field to end the game.
Jacob Sherdel (1-4) got the loss after allowing 6 runs, 2 earned, in 5+ innings pitched. He scattered 8 hits and struck out 5 batters. Maddox Stadler was excellent in relief, pitching 4 innings, allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits. He struck out one. Mallick Metcalfe led the offense, reaching base in 4 of 5 plate appearances. He was 2 for 3 with a pair of singles, 2 walks, and an RBI. Noah Avey also had a multi-hit game, finishing 2 for 4 with a run scored and a walk.
The loss drops the Panthers to 9-18 on the season, and 4-7 in AMCC play. They will be right back in action tomorrow, as they will take on Hilbert in a doubleheader. Due to unplayable field conditions in Hamburg, the Panthers will play the Hawks at home, but serve as the visiting team. First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.
