Harrisonburg, VA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team returned to action in Virginia on Sunday for its second doubleheader in as many days, taking on Eastern Mennonite. The Panthers lost the opener 7-5 on a walkoff home run, and then dropped game two 8-0 in 5 innings.
Game One: Eastern Mennonite 7 - Pitt-Bradford 5
In game one, the Panthers built a 5-2 lead through 6 innings but could not shut the door, as the hosts rallied for two runs in the 6th and won the game with a walkoff 3-run home run in the 7th.
Pitt-Bradford fell behind in the first as they were retired quickly in the top half, then allowed a run in the bottom. Starting pitcher Sandra Watne allowed two singles around a sacrifice bunt to put runners on the corners with one out. She got some help from her batterymate, Lilly Hamels, who threw out one of the runners stealing. Watne could not escape the jam unscathed, as she allowed a double to left, which drove in the lead runner.
After a quiet second inning, the Panthers tied the game in the third. Miranda Groll reached on a single through the left side of the infield and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a walk to Sara Stroup, Krislyn Clement also found the hole on the left side of the infield to bring in Groll and tie the game at 1. Watne posted an important shutdown inning in the bottom half, working around a one-out single to keep the Royals off the board.
The Panthers went in front in the 4th inning as Lexi Najdusak delivered a single to center with one out, which drove in Keelie Schneider. The last did not last long, as EMU struck back in the bottom half with a single, a double, and a fielder's choice that did not result in an out. Watne was able to wriggle out of trouble in the inning, however, as she stranded runners on the corners with a flyout to center and a ground ball to second base.
Pitt-Bradford rallied in the 5th, retaking the lead before an out was recorded. Sasha Ginsberg led off with a single and then moved to second on a Stroup single. The pair pulled off a double steal, and then both scored when Clement drove a single to center field. The Panthers looked to add to the lead, as Hamels and Schneider both hit the ball hard, but they were right at EMU fielders to end the inning. Clement replaced Watne to pitch in the top of the 5th and retired the side in order.
Kalie Dixon gave the Panthers extra breathing room in the 6th, as she drove a home run to left field to lead off the frame. The blast was the first of Dixon's career, and the first for Pitt-Bradford this season. The Panthers looked to add more to their lead at the end of the inning, as Groll and Ginsbrg each singled and stole a base, but Stroup's ground ball was fielded at third and thrown across in time to end the threat.
Dixon's home run proved to be important for the Panthers, as the hosts struck back in the bottom of the 6th with two runs. Clement retired the first two batters with a fly ball and a groundout, but then allowed back-to-back singles to extend the frame. The next EMU batter drove a double to the gap, bringing in both runners and cutting the lead to 1.
The Panthers went down quietly in the 7th and sent Clement back to the circle looking to close out the game. Clement allowed the first two batters to reach on free passes, and then allowed a walk-off home run to center to end the game.
Sandrta Watne started for the Panthers and received a no-decision. She pitched 4.0 innings, allowing 2 earned runs. She struck out two. Krislyn Clement (0-1) picked up the loss after allowing 5 earned runs in 2+ innings pitched. She did lead the Panther offense, finishing 2 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI. Kalie Dixon was 2 for 3 in the game and hit her first career home run. Miranda Groll and Sasha Ginsberg also recorded multihit games, and both scored once. Sara Stroup reached in 3 of 4 plate appearances, going 1 for 2 with a pair of walks.
Game Two: Eastern Mennonite 8 - Pitt-Bradford 0 - 5 Innings
While the opening game was a nail-biter, the nightcap got out of control early as the Panthers allowed 8 runs in the first inning and were never able to start a rally to cut into the lead, leading to a final score of 8-0 in 5 innings.
The Panthers threatened in the top of the first, as Groll led off with a single and then moved to third on a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt. She was unable to score when Stroup reached on a fielder's choice, but then was left on third when the inning ended on a line-drive double play a batter later.
Tae-Lynn Brabant started in the circle for the Panthers and ran into immediate trouble. She struggled to put away EMU batters and eventually walked the first three Royals to come to the plate. The first ball in play resulted in a two-run single, and then, after an infield fly, Brabant allowed a single to left and a bases-clearing double to put the Panthers down 5-0. She was replaced by Kaylee Schwartz after the double, who allowed three more runs to score in the frame on 4 singles and a walk before finally ending the frame on a fielder's choice groundout.
Lilly Hamels and Schwartz each singled in the 2nd, but three other Panthers grounded out to end the frame. Schwartz settled in after the tough first inning and allowed just two singles for the remainder of the contest, facing just 11 batters over the final three frames. Unfortunately, the Panthers could not take advantage and did not record a hit over the final 3 innings.
Tae-Lynn Brabant (0-4) got the loss after allowing 6 earned runs in 1/3 of an inning pitched. Kaylee Schwartz allowed 2 earned runs in the first, but then pitched three scoreless frames to finish the game. The Panther offense only mustered three hits in the game. Miranda Groll, Lilly Hamels, and Schwartz all recorded singles.
Pitt-Bradford falls to 2-12 on the season after the sweep. They are scheduled to be back in action on Tuesday, when they travel to Grove City for a double header with the Wolverines. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
