Johnstown, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford opened its trip to the 2026 AMCC Tournament on Wednesday, taking on the 3rd-seeded Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats at Sergeant's Stadium at the Point in Johnstown. The Panthers answered an early run from the Bobcats, but allowed 6 runs in the 3rd and were not able to come back from the deficit, falling 11-4.
Playing as the visiting team, the Panthers were set down in order to start the game, and then sent Jacob Sherdel to the hill as the starting pitcher in the bottom half. Sherdel retired the leadoff batter, but then allowed the opening run on a double, wild pitch, and sacrifice fly.
The Panthers rallied with one out to get the run right back in the 2nd. Aiden Zimmerman and Mallick Metcalfe hit back-to-back singles up the middle before Logan McConnell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Alan Compres lined a single into centerfield to tie the game at one, but the next two Panthers were set down with a strikeout and a groundout to end the frame.
The Bobcats got the run right back in the bottom of the frame, using their own one-out rally. After a strikeout, Pitt-Greensburg was also able to load the bases on two singles and a walk. A sacrifice fly brought in another run before Sherdel induced an inning-ending fly ball to avoid further damage.
Pitt-Bradford went down quietly in the 3rd, and the Bocats took advantage of their momentum to score 6 times in the frame. Sherdel retired the leadoff batter, but then gave up two singles to continue the frame. He nearly got out of the inning unscathed, as a fly ball to left center was caught for the second out, but the next batter doubled off the short wall in left to bring in two runs and extend the inning. The Bobcats tacked on two more runs on a pair of singles and a walk before the Panthers went to the bullpen. Maddox Stadler replaced Sherdel with two outs, but before he could induce a pop-up, allowed both inherited runners to score on a pair of singles, putting the Panthers behind 8-1.
The bottom of the Pitt-Bradford lineup came through again in the 4th, rallying to score two runs. Metcalfe started the inning with a single, and then after a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Alex Ognen lined a double off the netting in left field to bring in both runners. Stadler returned to the hill in the bottom half and struck out two batters on the way to a shutdown inning.
The Panthers failed to take advantage of any momentum from the shutdown frame and went down 1-2-3 in the 5th. Stadler ran into trouble in the bottom of the frame, allowing two hits around a walk to allow a run to score. He limited further damage by inducing a 4-6-3 double play, but the lead runner was able to score on the play, extending the Pitt-Greensburg lead to 10-3.
After a scoreless 6th, the Panthers looked to rally in the 7th. Grant Casses led off the frame in a big way, blasting a home run over the high wall and netting in left to get the Panthers back on the board. It was his first career home run. After a groundout, the Panthers put another runner on when Trent Bielak was hit by a pitch, but they could not move him at all as the inning ended two batters later. Stadler kept the Bobcats in check with two groundouts and a soft liner in the bottom of the inning.
The Panthers sent the minimum to the plate in the 8th, before the Bobcats tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the frame. They put runners on the corners to start the inning, using a leadoff double and a single to left. After a pop-up, Stadler looked to get out of the inning unscathed, as he induced a potential inning-ending double play ball, but the relay throw to first was just late, allowing the inning to continue and the run to score.
Needing 7 runs to continue the game, the Panthers failed to put a rally together in the top of the 9th, as they were retired on a pair of strikeouts and a fly ball.
Jacob Sherdel (1-5) picked up the loss after allowing 8 earned runs in 2.2 innings pitched. He struck out one. Maddox Stadler put in a strong relief effort, pitching the final 5.1 innings, saving further work from the bullpen at the start of a tournament that could now include 5 games in 3 days. He allowed 3 earned runs on 8 hits, while striking out 3.
Mallick Metcalfe had the only multi-hit game for the Panthers as he finished 2 for 4 with a run scored. Alex Ognen hit a two-run double in the loss, while Grant Casses blasted his first career home run.
The loss drops the Panthers to 12-22 on the season and sends them into the elimination matchup. To begin day two, they will take on #4 Alfred State, needing a win to extend their season. First pitch is slated for 10:00 a.m.
