Naples, FL -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team opened its 2026 campaign in Naples, Fla. on Sunday, winning both of its contests on opening day. The Panthers took down La Roche 9-3 in the opener before dominating Elms 11-3 in five innings.
Game One: Pitt-Bradford 9 - La Roche 3
To begin their season, the Panthers faced a familiar opponent, taking on AMCC foe La Roche in a non-conference matchup. The Panthers battled the Redhawks early, but broke away with 7 runs in the last two frames to win 9-3.
Pitt-Bradford threatened to score in the first as Sasha Ginsburg and Sara Stroup each received free passes with one out, but Lilly Hamels fly ball was caught in left to end the frame. In the bottom half, Krislyn Clemet struck out the leadoff batter and induced a pop-up, but walked two batters and then allowed a bloop single to right, which put the Redhawks in front.
The Panthers got the run right back in the next inning, using 1 hit and a wild pitch to score. Kalie Dixon beat out an infield single on a groundball to the left side, and then moved to third base after a walk by Dani Hatch and a wild pitch. Lexi Najdusak drove in the run, grounding out to shortstop. Clement worked around 3 singles to post a shutdown inning in the bottom half.
In the third, the Panthers took the lead with a quick one-out rally. Stroup singled through the left side and then stole second to move to scoring position. A pitch later, Clement also found the hole on the left side to drive in Stroup. After running up her pitch count in the first two frames, Clement was replaced by Kaylee Schwartz to begin the 3rd. Making her collegiate debut, Schwartz made quick work of LaRoche, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts.
After a quiet 4th inning, both teams had chances to score in an exciting fifth. Ginsberg led off the inning with a double down the line, but then had to stay put when Stroup singled to shortstop. Both runners moved up on a Schwartz sacrifice bunt, and then Hamels was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. The Panthers tried to bring in the run with a bunt, but it resulted in a double play that saw both Ginsberg and Stroup out at the plate, ending the threat.
In the bottom half, Schwartz retired the leadoff batter, but then allowed a walk and a single. She induced a ground ball to the left side of the infield, but the throw to the plate was late, allowing the first runner to score. The Panthers did get an out on the play, however, as after Hamels threw the ball back to the circle, the Redhawks tried to steal a run as the runner on third broke for home. The Panthers noticed the play and got the ball to Hamels, who held on to a tag through a collision at the plate, which resulted in an out and an ejection. The inning continued after the play, and La Roche added another run with an infield single and then an error.
Pitt-Bradford was not down for long, as they responded immediately in the 6th. Dixon led off the inning with a single and was then lifted for pinch runner Lauren Frascella. The lineup change worked right away as Frascella was able to beat the throw to second on a fielder's choice groundball in the next at-bat. Following a wild pitch and a pop-up, Miranda Groll grounded a hit through the left side, bringing in Frascella. She sprinted hard out of the box and legged out a double on the play. Ginsberg delivered another single next, driving in two runs, while also taking second on an errant throw. After a pitching change, Ginsberg stole third and then scored on a Stroup sacrifice fly.
In the bottom half, Schwartz worked around a two-out bunt single to post an important shutdown inning. She was rewarded in the 7th, as the Panthers rallied with 2 outs to tack on 4 more runs. With two outs, Groll singled to right center, and then, after taking off on the pitch, scored from first when Ginsberg singled to right. Ginsberg scored a batter later when Stroup reached on an error, and then Schwartz helped her own cause with a single to center that brought in pinch runner Kearstin Foster. In the bottom half, Schwartz worked around a single to close out the game.
Kaylee Schwartz (1-0) picked up her first collegiate win after pitching 5 innings in relief. She allowed 2 runs, 1 earned on 4 hits while striking out 3. Krislyn Clement pitched two innings, allowing 1 earned run with 3 strikeouts. Ginsburg was the offensive star of the game for Pitt-Bradford, finishing 3 for 4 with a double, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Sara Stroup, Miranda Groll, and Kalie Dixon all recorded multiple-hit games as well.
Game Two: Pitt-Bradford 11 - Elms 3
After rallying late in their first game of the day, the Panthers came out of the gate firing in their second contest, quickly jumping on the Elms Blazers with 9 runs in their first two at-bats. They also shut down the Blazers' offense, eventually winning 11-3 in 5 innings.
Sandra Watne started for the Panthers and worked around a 1-out walk to retire the side in the first. In the bottom half, the Panthers jumped out in front with four runs before an out could be recorded. Miranda Groll and Ginsberg each drew walks and then used a double steal to move into scoring position. Groll scored on a wild pitch before Ginsburg trotted home after a throwing error by the Elms pitcher. With Sara Stroup on first, Krislyn Clement lined a triple into the gap to put the Panthers up 3-0 and then scored on a groundout by Lilly Hamels.
Watne took care of the second inning on her own, recording an assist on a comebacker, a putout on a popup and a strikeout to retire the side in order. The Panthers continued their offensive onslaught in the bottom of the inning, scoring 5 more runs. Christa Koagel started the inning by reaching on an error, and then moved to third on a Grtoll infield hit. Following a pitching change, Ginsberg walked, with Koagel scoring on a wild pitch on ball four. A batter later, Stroup lined a pitch to right field that was misplayed for an error. Stroup received one RBI for a sacrifice fly, while both runners came around to score. Clement followed with a single up the middle, and then scored when Keelie Schneider recorded her first collegiate hit.
In the third, Watne posted another shutdown inning, despite allowing a one-out walk. In the bottom half, the Panthers tacked on two more. Groll started the inning with a walk, and then, after a groundout, moved to second when STroup was hit by a pitch. The next batter, Clement, hit a grounder to shortstop for a fielder's choice, but was able to beat the relay throw to first, avoiding the double play and allowing Groll to score from second on the play. A batter later, Hamels drove a double to left center to bring her in.
In the fourth, the Panthers made a pitching change, bringing in Jenna Opel for her collegiate debut. Opel had an interesting first inning, allowing three Blazers to reach on walks, but also striking out the side to keep Elms off the board.
After a quiet bottom of the inning, Opel returned to the mound, but did not have the same luck as she did in the previous frame. She walked 3 more batters around a fielding error to allow the first Elms run to score. She was replaced by Hannah Schnetzer, who allowed the first hit of the game to the first batter she faced. One run scored on the play, but Frascella was able to cut down a runner at the plate with a strong throw for the first out of the inning. The next batter brought in another run with an RBI groundout to 2nd before Schnetzer ended the game with a strikeout.
Sandra Watne (1-0) picked up the win after allowing just 2 walks over 3 innings of work, while striking out two batters. Jenna Opel pitched 1+ innings, allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, on 0 hits, and 6 walks. She struck out 3. Hannah Schnetzer recorded the final three outs, allowing 1 hit while striking out 1 batter. Krislyn Clement led the offensive charge for the Panthers, finishing 2 for 3 with a triple, 2 RBI, and 3 runs scored. Miranda Groll reached on all three of her at-bats, going 1-1 with two walks. She scored 3 runs and also stole 3 bases. Lily Hamels was 1 for 2 with a double and 2 RBI.
The Panthers' record is 2-0 after the pair of opening day victories. They will be right back at it tomorrow, with two more contests. They will take on SUNY Potsdam at 1:00 p.m. and Bethany at 3:00 p.m. at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers.
