Salem, VA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team returned to action on Saturday as it kicked off a trip to Virginia with a doubleheader at Roanoke. The Panthers were swept in the twin bill, with both games ending after 5 innings. They lost the opener 9-1 and the nightcap 14-6.
Game One: Roanoke 9 - Pitt-Bradford 1 - 5 Innings
In game one, the hosts did all of their damage in one inning, scoring 9 times in the 2nd. The Panthers scratched a run across in the 4th, but only mustered 2 hits in the run-rule shortened contest.
Miranda Groll led off the game with a single to left field, but was stranded on second base after a sacrifice bunt and consecutive strikeouts. Christa Koagel started the game for the Panthers, and despite allowing a pair of one-out singles, was able to keep the game scoreless in the first with a pair of fly outs.
After Pitt-Bradford went down in order in the 2nd, the Maroons exploded, scoring 9 runs in the bottom half. Koagel allowed two early singles but retired two Maroons on a fielder's choice and a fly ball to right. She was not able to escape the jam, however, as the next 7 batters reached base. She allowed 3 straight singles and then a pair of doubles, which brought in 6 runs. After another single, Koagel made a throwing error to first, allowing another run to score. She was replaced by Alyssa Tollini, who gave up a 2-run double before ending the frame on a groundout to short.
The Panthers were set down 1-2-3 in the top of the third, but Tollini was able to keep the deficit at 9 in the bottom of the inning. She worked around a 2-out walk by inducing two pop-ups and a fly ball to keep the Maroons off the board. In the 4th, the Panthers scratched a run across to avoid the shutout with a short two-out rally. Krislyn Clement drew a walk to continue the inning, and then, after an error on a Lilly Hamels single to left, rounded the bases to score. Tollini allowed a leadoff single to begin the home half, and then, after retiring a batter on a groundout, was replaced in the circle by Clement. The senior right-hander made quick work of the Maroons to end the inning, retiring both batters she faced with a strikeout and a pop-up.
Needing a run to extend the game in the 5th, Pitt-Bradford went down in order, ending the game.
Christa Koagel (0-2) picked up the loss after being charged with 9 runs, 6 earned, in 1.2 innings pitched. Alyssa Tollini and Krislyn Clement combined to pitch the final 2.1 innings of the game without allowing a run. Clement recorded the only strikeout for Pitt-Bradford. Offensively, the Panthers could only muster 2 hits, a leadoff single by Miranda Groll and a 4th-inning single by Lilly Hamels. Clement drew a walk and scored the only Panther run.
Game Two: Roanoke 6 - Pitt-Bradford 5 - 5 Innings
In game two, the Panthers jumped on Roanoke early, scoring 5 times in the first two innings. Unfortunately, they could not keep the Maroons offense silent, as the hosts scored in each of the 5 innings played, leading to a 14-6 final score.
Pitt-Bradford got off to a hot start in the first, as the first three Panthers to come to the plate all singled to load the bases. The rally ended as fast as it began; however, as Krislyn Clement grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, which brought in a run, and Lilly Hamels grounded out to end the frame. Pitt-Bradford starting pitcher Kaylee Schwartz also ran into early trouble, as she allowed a run on two hits and a groundout. She got a second out on a fly ball, but could not escape the inning without further damage, allowing a 2nd run to score on an RBI single.
The Panther offense rallied in the second, scoring 4 times to go back in front. Kailey Ripley started the rally with a single, and then moved to third on an error in the infield and a Lexi Najdusak hit. Miranda Groll brought in a run on a fielder's choice, and then Sasha Ginsberg doubled to bring in Keelie Schneider and chase the Roanoke starting pitcher. The new arm was greeted by Sara Stroup, who also hit a double to right center to drive in a pair.
The Panthers could not maintain their momentum in the bottom half, as the hosts struck right back with 4 runs of their own. Schwartz allowed a run on 3 early hits before striking out a batter for the first out. She loaded the bases with another single, and then allowed a run to score on a fielder's choice. She nearly ended the inning with the lead, but gave up a 2-run double, which gave Roanoke the lead.
Pitt-Bradford went down in order in the third, and the Maroons capitalized on their momentum, scoring 5 more times in the inning. Schwartz allowed two runs to score on a double, a walk, a groundout, and an error before being lifted for Tae-Lynn Brabant. She hit the first batter she faced, before Roanoke used a double steal to go ahead 8-5. Brabant got the second out of the inning on a groundout to short, but then gave up three straight singles, which allowed 2 more to score.
In the 4th, the Panthers were retired 1-2-3, and then the hosts tackeed on a run in the bottom of the inning. Brabant retired the first two batters of the inning, but then saw the inning extended with a double and a walk. The lead runner scored on a fielding error in the infield before Brabant ended the inning with a fielder's choice.
Pitt-Bradford pulled a run back in the top of the 5th. Ginsberg led off and reached on an error, and then moved to third when Stroup singled and Clement fouled out to right. Lilly Hamels was able to drive her in, lining out to center for a sacrifice. Leading by 6, the hosts were able to quickly score two runs in the bottom of the inning to end the game. Brabant allowed back-to-back doubles to start the frame, and then, after a single, a throwing error allowed the 14th run to score, ending the game.
Kaylee Schwartz (1-3) picked up the loss after allowing 9 runs, 8 earned in 2.1 innings pitched. She struck out one. Tae-Lynn Brabant pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing 5 runs, 1 earned. Sara Stroup led the offense, going 3 for 3 with 2 RBI and a double. Sasha Ginsberg also had a multihit game, going 2-3 with 2 runs scored, a double, and an RBI. Mrnada Groll singled, scored two runs, and drove one in, while Lilly Hamels brought in a run on a sacrifice fly.
The Panthers drop to 2-10 on the season after the sweep. They will have a chance to get back in the win column tomorrow, as they stay in Virginia to take on Eastern Mennonite in Harrisonburg. First pitch is lated for 1:00 p.m.
