Allegany, N.Y. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Softball team picked up a pair of conference road wins on Tuesday, sweeping Alfred State in an AMCC doubleheader held at St. Bonaventure. The Panthers used a dominant performance from Krislyn Clement to win the opener 6-1, and then rallied with 6 runs in the 6th inning to take game two 10-5.
Game 1: Pitt-Bradford 6 - Alfred State 1
The Panther offense got off to a slow start, as they were kept off the board for the first four innings. Krislyn Clement was able to keep the Panthers close, allowing just 1 run on a two-out single in the 3rd.
The Panthers were finally able to break through with a run in the 4th. After an error, Clement was able to help her own cause at the plate, hitting a triple to bring in Lilly Hamels.
After Clement set the Pioneers down in order in the 4th, the Panthers used 4 hits and a pair of errors to jump out to a 5 run lead. Lexi Najdusak started the frame by reaching on an error and then after a Faith McLaughlin single, moved to third on a double steal. The Panthers went ahead when Sara Stroup reached on an error, and then doubled their advantage on an RBI groundout from Lexi Peters. Lilly Hamels brought in another run with a single through the right side. After Clement singled to continue the rally and stole 2nd, Miranda Groll capped the rally with a 2-run double.
Clement would take over in the circle from that point forward, allowing one runner to reach on a hit in the 6th, and another on a walk in the 7th to finish the game.
Krislyn Clement picked up the complete game win, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits and 2 walks. She struck out 7 batters. She also had a strong game at the plate, finishing 2 for 4 with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. Faith McLaughlin also went 2 for 4 in the game, while Miranda Groll was 2 for 2 with a 2-run double.
Game 2: Pitt-Bradford 10 - Alfred State 5
Pitt-Bradford then fell behind early in game two, as starting pitcher Sandra Watne was tagged for 2 runs in the first. She posted a 1-2-3 inning in the 2nd, and then saw the Panther offense cut the deficit in half in the 3rd. Najdusak singled to right and then after stealing second base, scored on a double to left center by McLaughlin.
The Pioneers got the run right back in the 3rd on 2 hits and a sacrifice bunt, but Pitt-Bradford rallied to tie the game in the next frame. Clement hit her 2nd three-bagger of the day to start the rally, and then scored on a single by Meghan Kapp. Pinch runner Lauren Frascella moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on a Ciera Adams single to tie the game at 3.
Bri Heller relieved Watne to start the 4th and allowed the Pioneers to retake the lead with two walks and a double. The Alfred-State lead did not last long, as the Panthers scored quickly in the 5th. Stroup led off with a double and then scored on a single by Peters.
Alfred state was able to score again in the 5th, scoring on a leadoff single, a stolen base and a second single with one out. Pitt-Bradford responded again in their next at bat, this time putting the game out of reach with 6 runs.
Adams led off the 6th with a single to center and then moved to third on a wild pitch and an error. After a walk loaded the bases, the Panthers tied the game when Adams raced home and scored on a passed ball. Following a Stoup walk to reload the bases, Peters singled through the left side to bring in two more.
The big hit was followed by a Pioneer pitching change, but it did not slow the Panthers. After a fly out, 4 straight Panthers singled to tack on three more runs. Kapp, Groll and Adams all registered RBIs in the rally.
Heller was able to shut the game down from there, using a 4-6-3 double play to end the 6th and set down the side in order to finish the game in the 7th.
Bri Heller (5-2) registered the win after pitching 4 innings in relief. She allowed 2 runs to score on 4 hits and 2 walks. She struck out 4. Sandra Watne pitched three innings, allowing 3 runs while striking out 2. Ciera Adams and Meghan Kapp each went 3 for 4 in the win and drove in two runs apiece. Lexi Peters finished 2 for 5 and drove in 3 runs. Lexi Najdusak and Krislyn Clement both had multi-hit games as well.
The Panthers are now 14-6 on the season, including a 3-1 record in AMCC play. They will be back in action on Saturday when they host Penn State- Altoona. First Pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. on the Softball Field at the Kessel Athletic Complex.
