Bradford, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team brought its regular season to a close on Saturday, as it hosted Mount Aloysius College, looking to secure a spot in the AMCC Championship Tournament. The Panthers dropped the opener 5-0, but thanks to other results around the league and a 6-5 walk-off victory in game two, secured their spot in the postseason.
The day also served as Pitt-Bradford's senior day. 15 Panthers were recognized with their families in a ceremony between games. The following players were celebrated: Seth Helgert, Maddox Stadler, Alan Compres, Trent Bielak, Tim Beimel, Collin Porter, Jacob Sherdel, Alex Colwell, Mike Gow, Noah Avey, Kyle Ketcham, Patrick Synan, Alex Ognen, Kenny Nickson III, and Ethan Zimmerman.
Game One: Mount Aloysius 5 - Pitt-Bradford 0
Game one started slowly as both starting pitchers dominated the first three frames. The visitors finally struck for 4 runs after an error in the 4th, while the Panthers failed to string together any rallies, falling 5-0.
Collin Porter started the game for the Panthers and got off to a dominant start. He struck out the side in the 1st and added 3 more over the next two frames, allowing just a single and two walks through the first three innings.
The Panther offense stranded Noah Avey on second after a two-out double to left center in the first, and then after a quiet second, left runners on 1st and 2nd in the third following back-to-back singles by Alex Ognen and Mallick Metcalfe.
The visitors finally broke through in the 4th. Porter struck out the leadoff batter, but then, after a single, a dropped fly ball in the outfield put runners on the corners. A single drove in the opening run, and then after a pop-up, the Mounties tacked on three more runs with a double to left center and a single to left. Jacob Sherdel replaced Porter after the 4th run scored, and ended the inning with a groundout to second.
The Panthers went down in order in the bottom of the 4th, and the Mounties used the momentum to add another run in the 5th. Sherdel hit three batters around a sacrifice bunt to load the bases. He nearly got out of the frame unscathed as he induced a potential double play ball. He nearly escaped the inning unscathed, but the relay throw to first was just late, allowing the inning to continue and the run to score. Sherdel walked another batter before leaving the bases loaded with a fielder's choice groundout.
The Panthers went down without a hit in the 6th or 7th, but Sherdel was able to keep the deficit at five, allowing just one player to reach base on a walk in the 6th. In the 7th, the Panthers looked to rally to continue the game. Trent Bielak and Aiden Zimmerman each singled to right to start the inning. After two strikeouts, Tim Beimel also found the hole on the right side to load the bases. Alex Ognen swung on the first pitch of his at-bat, but flied out to right to end the game.
Collin Porter (0-6) received the loss after allowing 4 unearned runs in 3.2 innings pitched. He scattered 5 hits and struck out 7 batters. Jacob Sherdel pitched the final 3.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run on no hits, 2 walks, and 3 hit batters. He struck out one. The Panthers tallied 6 hits in the loss. Noah Avey had the only extra-base hit, a double in the first, while five other Panthers each registered a single.
Game Two: Pitt-Bradford 6 - Mount Aloysius 5
Pitt-Bradford headed into game two needing a win, along with help elsewhere in the conference to continue their season. The Panthers would eventually win in walk-off fashion, while also getting the results needed in other games to clinch the 6th and final spot in the AMCC tournament.
Patrick Synan got the start for the Panthers and made quick work of the Mounties in the opening frame, retiring the side in order with a groundout and two strikeouts. The Panthers went in front in the bottom half. Alex Ognen led off the game with a single to center, and then moved to third on a stolen base and a groundout. He scored the opening run when Noah Avey also grounded out to short.
Synan struck out two more and worked around a leadoff single to post a shutdown frame in the 2nd, but the Panthers could not tack on to their lead, as they went down 1-2-3 in the bottom half.
In the 3rd, the visitors scored an unearned run to tie the game, but the Panthers came right back with a run in the bottom half. Synan struck out the leadoff batter, but then saw the next two Mounties reach on an error and a single. After a flyout, a walk loaded the bases and a single snuck up the middle to bring in the run. In the bottom half, Grant Casses led off with a single to right, and then, as he stole second, moved to third on a throwing error. Ognen drove him in, hitting a line drive sacrifice fly to left to restore the Panther lead.
Mount Aloysius went ahead in the 4th, scoring twice. Synan retired the leadoff batter, but then allowed a single and a walk. An errant pickoff throw allowed the runners to move up a base before scoring on a single up the middle. Synan was able to retire the next two batters to avoid further damage. Pitt-Bradford tied the game in their half of the frame. Alex Colwell led off with a single, but then remained on first as the next two batters were retired. After an errant pickoff throw allowed Colwell to move into scoring position, Alan Compres lined a single to left, driving in the run and tying the game at 3.
Synan posted another shutdown inning in the 5th, and the Panthers moved back in front in the bottom of the inning. Ognen started the Pitt-Bradford rally with a single through the left side, before Trent Bielak drew a walk. In the next at-bat, Ognen attempted to steal third, and the throw was errant, allowing the senior infielder to not only steal the bag but also scamper home on the error. The next two Panthers walked around a pitching change for the Mounties, but Pitt-Bradford failed to add to their lead as the next two batters were retired on a soft lineout and a pop-up.
In the 6th, the visitors evened the score. After retiring the leadoff batter, Synan saw a runner reach on an error, which led to a Pitt-Bradford pitching change. He was replaced by Maddox Stadler, who got one out on a high chopper back to the mound, but then saw a hit drop on the right field line for a double, allowing the run to score.
After the Panthers went down in order, the Mounties looked poised to take the lead in the 7th. Stadler allowed a pair of singles to start the inning and was relieved by Ethan Zimmerman. With no outs and runners on the corners, Zimmerman escaped the jam with the lead. He got the first batter he faced to ground out sharply to first base, and then induced a shallow fly ball to right, leaving the runners on 2nd and 3rd. He ended the inning with a groundout to keep the game tied. The Panthers moved back in front at the bottom of the inning. The first three Panthers reached on a walk and two singles, but a slip on the basepaths saw Ognen tagged out at second after a Bielak single. Following another pitching change, Alex Colwell lined a single into left, bringing in Bielak to put the Panthers ahead 5-4. Noah Avey took third on the play, but was left there as the next two batters were retired.
In the 8th, the Mounties battled back to tie the score one more time. Zimmerman allowed a bloop double to start the inning, and then a soft grounder to third moved the tying run to third base. After a walk, Zimmerman allowed a soft single down the left field line to tie the game. He retired the next two batters to end the frame. The Panthers could not muster anything in the bottom half and were retired in order, sending the game to the 9th inning tied at 5.
Trent Bielak moved from right field to the mound to pitch the 9th, and despite allowing a one-out double, was able to retire the last two batters on a pop-up and a strikeout to give the Panthers a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the inning. Alex Ognen started the frame with a double to right center and then moved to third on a groundout. With two outs and the winning run on third, Alex Colwell roped the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a walkoff single that won the game and clinched the playoff spot.
Patrick Synan started for the Panthers and picked up a no-decision. He allowed 4 runs, 1 earned, in 5.1 innings pitched. He struck out 5. Maddox Stadler threw .2 scoreless innings, while Ethan Zimmerman allowed 1 earned run in 2 innings pitched. Trent Bielak (2-1) got the win after pitching a scoreless 9th with one strikeout. Two Panther seniors led the way offensively. Leadoff hitter Alex Ognen finished the game 3 for 3 with a double, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, a walk, and 2 stolen bases. Alex Colwell reached in all 5 of his plate appearances, going 3 for 3 with two walks. He scored one run and drove in two, including the game-winner.
The Panthers finish the regular season 12-22 with a 7-10 mark in AMCC play. They complete the regular season tied with Penn State-Altoona in 6th place, but earn the playoff spot due to their sweep of the Lions in the head-to-head tiebreaker. They will begin their postseason on Wednesday, May 6th, when they take on #3 Pitt-Greensburg in game two of the AMCC Championship Tournament. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.
