Alfred, NY -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team brought its regular season to a close on Saturday, as it took on Alfred State in a game that was postponed due to weather last month. The Panthers fell behind early in the contest, and despite rallying to cut the deficit to one, could not complete the comeback and fell 12-8.
The Panthers threatened to open the scoring in the top of the first, as Miranda Groll and Sasha Ginsberg each walked and then pulled off a double steal to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Unfortunately, the Panthers could not convert, as the rally ended as quickly as it began with two strikeouts and a groundout. The hosts used the momentum from getting out of the jam to score two runs of their own in their half of the inning. Starting pitcher Kaylee Schwartz walked two of the first three batters, and then, after a fielder's choice, gave up a two-run double to left to open the scoring.
Pitt-Bradford struck right back in the 2nd, scoring 3 runs to take the lead. Schwartz drew a one-out walk and then moved to third on a wild pitch and a single by Lexi Najdusak. Groll cleared the bases with a triple to center field and then scored when Ginsberg singled to center. Sandra Watne replaced Schwartz to begin the 2nd, but after striking out the first batter she faced, she failed to record an out for the rest of her outing. The Pioneers loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. After a bases-clearing double put the hosts back in front, a two-run home run pushed their lead to 4 and resulted in another Panther pitching change. Tae-Lynn Brabant took over for Watne and induced two quick groundouts to end the frame.
After a quiet top of the 3rd for the Panthers, the Pioneers tacked on two more runs. Brabant walked the first two batters of the frame, and then, after getting two outs, allowed a two-run single through the right side, which pushed the deficit to 6 runs. The Panthers pulled a run back in the 4th on another RBI single by Ginsberg, but left runners on the corners to end the inning.
Brabant posted a 1-2-3 shutdown inning in the bottom of the 4th, setting up a Panther comeback in the 5th. Brabant drew a one-out walk to start the rally, and then, after a pop-up, the next three Panthers reached and scored to cut the lead to one. NAjdusak singled to right to continue the frame, and then Groll was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ginsberg drove in 3 more runs with a bases-clearing triple down the right field line, and then scored on an error on the play to put the Panthers down 9-8.
In the bottom of the inning, Brabant was not able to keep the deficit at one, as the hosts tacked on 3 runs following an error with two outs. Following a leadoff single, Brabant retired two in a row, looking to escape the inning. She induced another ground ball, but an error allowed a run to score and continued the frame. After a walk, Alfred State added two more singles to push their lead to 12-8. Brabant allowed one more hit to load the bases again, but struck out the next batter to strand the runners.
In the 6th, Kalie Dixon hit a two-out double to right field, but was left on second when Brabant flew out to end the frame. Brabant allowed two runners to reach the bottom half, but kept the Pioneers off the board, sending the Panthers to the plate in the 7th needing four runs to extend the game.
Kailey Ripley and Najdusak each singled to start the 7th, but the next three Panthers were retired to end the game.
Kaylee Schwartz started the game and allowed 2 earned runs in 1 inning pitched. Sandra Watne () got the loss, allowing 5 earned runs in 1/3 of an inning pitched. Tae-Lynn Brabant pitched the final 4.2 innings. She allowed 5 runs, 2 earned, while striking out two batters. Offensively, the Panthers were led by Sasha Ginsberg, who finished 3 for 4 with a triple, 1 run scored, and 5 RBI. Miranda Groll had 1 hit, a triple, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Lexi Najdusak also went 3 for 4 and scored 3 runs.
The Panthers finish the regular season 13-21 with a 9-7 mark in AMCC play. They are tied with Alfred State for 3rd in the final conference standings, but will receive the 4th seed in the upcoming AMCC Tournament, as Alfred State holds the best win tiebreaker with a win over top-seeded Penn State-Behrend. They will begin the postseason on Wednesday, May 6th, when they take on 5th-seeded Pitt-Greensburg at 2:00 p.m. The Tournament will be held at Rose & Dennis Heindl Memorial Field in DuBois, PA.
