Bradford, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford softball team resumed play in the elimination bracket of the AMCC Tournament on Friday, taking on 2nd-seeded Penn State-Altoona. The Panthers struggled early, falling behind 4-0 in the first frame and ultimately lost the game 11-3 in 5 innings.

Playing as the visiting team, the Panthers came to the plate first. Despite a one-out single in the top of the first, the Panthers went down quietly. Hannah Schnetzer started the game for the Panthers, but would not record an out. After a leadoff single and an error on a sacrifice bunt, Schnetzer loaded the bases with a walk. A single up the middle drove in two runs, and then Schnetzer walked two more batters to force in another run. After the third run scored, Schnetzer was replaced by Christa Koagel. Koagel was able to limit the damage, as she retired three straight batters, but allowed one inherited runner to score on a sac fly.

The Panthers were retired in order in the top of the 2nd, sending the Lions back to the field after a shutdown inning. Koagel retired the leadoff batter, but then gave up a single, a walk, and two stolen bases, which put a pair of runners in scoring position. A single to right center brought in both runners, giving the Lions a 6-0 lead before Koagel ended the frame with a pair of ground balls. 

In the top of the 3rd, Pitt-Bradford was able to push a run across to get on the board. Kailey Ripley started the frame with a double down the left field line, and then scored after consecutive groundouts. Koagel gave up a single and a double to begin the bottom half before she was relieved by Kayle Schwartz. The game was halted by a lengthy rain delay, and after it resumed, the Lions restarted their attack. Schwartz remained in the game and loaded the bases with a walk. After a line drive single brought in one run, Schwartz gave up a long home run to center field, pushing the deficit to 10. She settled down after the home run, ending the inning with a lineout to right and a ground ball to second. 

Pitt-Bradford chipped away at the lead in the 4th, scoring twice. After Kalie Dixon reached on an error, she was lifted for pinch runner Payton Frank. Lilly Hamels followed with a single to left. The ball was kicked away in the outfield, which allowed Frank to come all the way around to score, and Hamels to move to 2nd. Two batters later, Keelie Schneider dropped a single into left field that allowed another pinch runner, Lauren Frascella, to score. Schwartz was able to keep the Lions off the board in the bottom of the inning, working around a pair of two-out hits to post the shutdown frame.

Needing a run to extend the game, Lexi Najdusak led off the 5th with a walk, but the next three batters were retired on a flyout to left and two groundouts, ending the game. 

Hannah Schnetzer (4-4) got the loss after allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, without recording an out. Christa Koagel and Kaylee Schwartz each pitched two innings, allowing 4 and 3 earned runs, respectively. Schwartz had two strikeouts. The Panthers had 4 hits in the loss, all from different players in the order. Kailey Ripley had the only extra-base hit in the game, a double, and also scored a run. Keelie Scheider, Lilly Hamels and Miranda Groll were all credited with runs batted in. 

The Panthers complete their campaign with a 15-23 record. All-Conference honors will be released by the AMCC in the next week.