DuBois, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford opened postseason play on Wednesday, taking on #5 Pitt-Greensburg in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers stayed with the Bobcats early, but fell behind in the 5th and were unable to catch Pitt-Greensburg, which eventually won 11-3.
Krislyn Clement got the start for Pitt-Bradford and put a 0 on the board in the first despite a leadoff walk and an error in the infield. After the Panthers were retired quietly in their half of the first, Clement made quick work of the Bobcats in the second, setting down the side in order. She led off the bottom of the inning and hit a line drive double to left. After a sacrifice bunt moved Clement to third, Kalie Dixon hit a fly ball to center to bring her in and give the Panthers the first lead of the game.
The Bobcats got the run back in the top of the third, as they started the frame with a double and then drove in the run two batters later with a single. In the bottom half, the Panthers moved back in front, scoring on three hits. Lexi Najdusak started the frame with an infield single, and then after two outs, moved to second when Sara Stroup blooped a single over the shortstop. Clement came through with a big hit again, lining a single into left field to restore the lead.
In the 4th, Pitt-Greensburg answered again, scoring two runs to take their first lead of the game. Following a lead-off single and a sacrifice bunt, the Bobcats added a hit up the middle to bring the tying run. After another hit, the Panthers nearly got out of the inning without further damage, but the relay on a potential double-play ball was errant, allowing another run to score. Dixon led off the bottom of the frame with a double down the left field line. A batter later, Kailey Ripley hit a sharp ground ball to third that resulted in Dixon getting caught out in a rundown. At the end of the play, a Pitt-Greensburg infielder tried to stop a throw to second, but lost control of the ball and threw it into a vacated left field, which allowed Ripley to circle the bases and score the tying run.
Tar-Lynn Brabant relieved Clement to begin the 5th and relinquished the lead before an out was recorded. Brabant struck out the leadoff batter, but the third strike was missed behind the plate, allowing the batter to reach base. The following batter hit a double to right center to bring in the run and give the Bobcats a lead that they would not give up. They tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly, and then retired the Panthers 1-2-3 in the bottom.
The Bobcats added another run to start the 6th. After a leadoff double and a passed ball put a runner on third, Pitt-Greensburg hit a line drive to right to bring in their 6th run. Najdusak came up firing to first on the play and was able to get the batter, resulting in a 9-3 putout. The Bobcats added a triple later in the inning, but Brabant stranded the runner on third.
After another quick inning from the Panthers in the 6th, Pitt-Greensburg rallied in the 7th to score 5 times and extend their lead to 8. Sandra Watne took over in the circle after pitch-hitting in the previous inning, and quickly allowed a run as the first two batters of the frame hit doubles. Watne hit a batter and walked another to load the bases before giving up a 2-run double to right center. She was replaced by Alyssa Tollini, who allowed both inherited runners to score on an RBI groundout and a single before mercifully ending the inning with another groundout. The Panthers registered a pair of two-out singles in the bottom of the 7th to extend the game, but could not find a third to bring in any runs as the game ended on a groundout to third.
Krislyn Clement started the game and received a no-decision. She pitched 4 innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on 5 hits. She struck out three batters. Tae-Lynn Brabant (2-6) got the loss after allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, in 2 innings pitched. Sandra Watne was charged with 5 earned runs in .1 innings pitched, while Alyssa Tollini got the final two outs of the game, allowing one hit.
Clement also led the Panthers at the plate, finishing 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Kalie Dixon hit a double and scored a run, while Lexi Najdusak recorded a multi-hit game, finishing 2 for 3 with a run scored.
The Panthers fall to 13-22 with the loss and move to the elimination bracket. They will be back in action in game three tomorrow morning, as they take on #3 Alfred State in an elimination game. First pitch is slated for 10:00 a.m.
