Bradford, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Baseball team returned to home action on Wednesday, as it hosted Houghton in a single 9-inning game at Repchick Family Field. The Panthers took an early 3-0 lead, but could not hold off the Highlanders, who eventually won the contest 17-7.
Trent Bielak got the start for the Panthers, and despite allowing two free passes in the top of the first, kept the visitors off the board as he stranded runners on 2nd and 3rd to end the frame. The Panthers jumped on the Highlanders at the top of the first, scoring 3 times to take the lead. Aiden Zimmerman led off with a single and then moved to second when Alex Ognen drew a walk. After two outs, catcher Levi Laser helped out his battery mate, driving a double over the left fielder's head to bring in two runs. Kenny Nickson III, Ethan Obergfell, and Kyle Kecham all drew consecutive walks to force in another run before a flyout ended the frame.
The Highlanders struck back in the top of the second, scoring 4 times before forcing Bielak out of the game. They loaded the bases on a leadoff single, an error, and a walk, and then, after a strikeout, forced in a run with a bases-loaded free pass. The next batter doubled to right, clearing the bases, but the Panthers were able to throw him out trying to stretch the play into a triple for the 2nd out of the inning. After allowing another single, Bielak was replaced by Maddox Stadler, who walked a batter, but then ended the inning with a groundout. The Panthers were retired with just 7 pitches in the bottom half, ending the frame.
Stadler stranded a pair of runners on 2nd and 3rd in the third inning to keep the deficit at one before the Panthers scored once in their half of the inning to tie the score at 4. Laser reached on an error in the outfield, and then Nickson and Obergfell drew consecutive walks for the second time to load the bases. After a pitching change and a strikeout, Tim Beimel singled through the left side to drive in Laser and tie the game.
Seth Helgert replaced Stadler in the 4th and gave up the lead with a two-out solo home run. After a quiet bottom half, Helgert returned to the mound for the 5th. He allowed a leadoff single and a walk before a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. After a 2-run single, he was lifted for Tommy Gargasz, who allowed 3 more runs to score in the frame before ending it with a pop-up. The Panthers pulled a run back in the bottom of the inning. Nickson drew another free pass, and then back-to-back singles by Obergfell and Ketcham loaded the bases. Beimerl was able to drive in the run when he beat out a potential double-play ball, before a strikeout ended the threat.
Gargasz settled in after his tough start, retiring 8 of 9 to keep the Highlanders at 10 runs through seven innings. Alex Ognen created a run in the 6th, drawing a leadoff walk before taking second base on a wild pitch and stealing third. He scored in the same at-bat when Braden Meadows grounded out to second. In the 8th, Gargasz allowed a solo homerun with two outs, and then, after a single, was replaced by Carter Leviski. Leviski faced just one batter, striking him out to end the frame.
Mike Gow relieved Leviski to start the 9th, but after retiring the leadoff batter, saw the next Highlander reach on an error in the outfield. The next three straight batters doubled to the gaps, tacking on three more runs. After the third-straight double, Gow was lifted for Ethan Zimmerman, who gave up a single and a three-run home run. Following another single and an infield error, Zimmerman struck out a batter and got another to pop up, mercifully ending the frame after 6 runs.
In the last of the 9th, the Panthers rallied to score one final time. Bielak and pinch-hitter Cooper Gault each drew walks before OBergfell drove a single to left to bring in Bielak. The game ended a batter later on a fielder's choice at third.
The Panthers used 7 pitchers to get through the 9-inning game. Trent Bielak started and lasted 1.2 innings, allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, while striking out two. Maddox Stadler threw 1.1 scoreless innings, while Seth Helgert (0-1) got the loss after allowing 4 earned in 1.1 innings pitched. Tommy Gargasz pitched the majority of the innings for the Panthers, totaling 3 and 1/3 innings pitched. He allowed 3 earned runs. Carter Leviski struck out the only batter he faced, while Mike Gow and Ethan Zimmerman combined to pitch the 9th, allowing 6 runs to score.
Offensively, the Panthers were limited to 6 hits, but were able to draw 11 walks. Ethan OBergfell was the only Panther to record multiple hits, as he finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles, two walks, and an RBI. Levi Laser and Tim Beimel each drove in two runs, while Alex Ognen scored twice.
The Panthers drop to 11-19 after the loss. They will return to AMCC play this weekend, as they host LaRoche in a crucial conference doubleheader. First pitch is currently scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
