Softball splits AMCC opener with Pitt Bradford

BRADFORD, Pa. --- Carlow University softball split its AMCC-opener against Pitt Bradford on the road Sunday.

The Celtics (3-13, 1-1 AMCC) won the first game 6-5, while the Panthers (12-6, 1-1 AMCC) took the nightcap, 7-4.

Game 1: W, 6-5

The Celtics held on to win the first game of the doubleheader. Carlow scored its first run in the first inning with a double to left center from Maddie Bowes bringing in an unearned run.

The Panthers took the lead in the bottom half of the frame, with two doubles, a single and an error putting four runs on the board.

The Celtics regained the lead in the top of the second. Back-to-back singles put runners on, but Bradford caught Carlow's runner stretching to get the first out.

Justena Giles doubled down the left field line to put runners in scoring position, and Jillian Durst drew a walk to load the bases.

Mackenzie Egley and Clara Niglio singled to bring in two runs, while Durst was caught stretching at home for the second out of the inning.

Bowes singled to load the bases once again, and the Celtics took advantage of a costly error in the next at-bat to bring in three unearned runs and put Carlow ahead, 6-4.

A single in the bottom of the inning put the Panthers within one, but it was a defensive duel until the end.

Niglio retired the side in the bottom of the third, and the Celtics caught a runner heading home with a long throw from Durst in centerfield to prevent Bradford from scoring in the fourth.

Niglio earned the complete game win in the circle, allowing four earned runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and three walks.

Bowes, Megan Pollinger and Francesca Beighley each went 3 for 4 at the plate in the 13-hit game.

Lexi Peters went 4 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Krislyn Clement suffered the loss with two earned runs and seven strikeouts for the Panthers.

Game 2: L, 7-4

The Panthers scored a comeback victory in the nightcap to earn the split.

The Celtics saw a runner on third in the first and second innings but were unable to bring anyone home. Bradford broke open scoring in the bottom of the second with a three-run double to right center field.

Carlow cut Bradford's advantage to one run in the top of the third. A single, an error and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third for the Celtics. A single up the middle from Bowes and a throwing error brought in two runs before Bradford could get out of the inning.

The Celtics gained the lead in the fourth. Back-to-back, two-out singles from Durst and Rosa DePrater and an error in the next at-bat tied the game at 3-all. Egley singled to load the bases, and DePrater made it home on a wild pitch to put Carlow ahead, 4-3.

The Celtics retired Bradford in order in the bottom half of the frame, but the Panthers mounted their comeback in the bottom of the fifth.

Back-to-back doubles and a two-out single gave Bradford a 5-4 lead heading into the sixth, and a two-run home run in the sixth put the Panthers ahead, 7-4.

Two singles put runners in scoring position for the Celtics in the top of the seventh before Bradford turned a double play to end the game.

DePrater hit 3 for 3, while Pollinger and McKenna Pierce went 2 for 4 in the effort at the plate.

Pollinger was tabbed with the loss, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and a walk in 5.2 innings. Tatum Wiggs tossed the final out, allowing one hit.

Meghan Kapp went 3 for 3 with an RBI and Faith McLaughlin hit 2 for 4 with a home run, a double and five RBI to lead the Panthers. Bri Heller picked up the win in the circle, allowing one earned run on 10 hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Carlow hosts Penn State Altoona for its home-opener Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Celtics play at West Field in Munhall this season. In between games, the Celtics will celebrate our track & field senior class.