Softball opens AMCC action with two tough losses at Pitt Bradford

BRADFORD, Pa. --- Carlow University softball opened Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play with two losses at Pitt Bradford Saturday.

The Panthers improved to 6-12 (4-0 AMCC) on the season while the Celtics fell to 3-17 overall.

Game 1: L, 19-14

Both teams amassed double-digit hits in the first game of the day, and although Carlow attempted a comeback late in the game, the Celtics' efforts were thwarted.

Carlow scored eight runs in the first inning. Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) hit an RBI single, and Kamyia Morris (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle Catholic HS) stole home to put the first two runs on the board. An error and an RBI single from Cailyn Lucas (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills HS) added two more, and a single up the middle off the bat of Lexi Berta (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) put Carlow ahead, 5-0.

In the next at-bat, Carrah Scardina (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands HS) hit her first collegiate home run over the left-center field fence to bring in three unearned runs before Pitt Bradford escaped the inning.

The Panthers wasted no time trying to even the score, scoring seven runs on six hits and an error, including a double and a two-run home run to trail the Celtics, 8-7, at the end of the first.

Both teams scored one run apiece in the second, with a solo home run for Pitt Bradford in the bottom of the inning.

The Panthers made their move in the bottom of the fourth, scoring eight runs on seven hits and an error to go ahead, 16-9.

The Celtics slowly chipped away at the lead, scoring three runs on two hits and an error in the fifth, and adding two more in the sixth with an RBI double from Gianna Ferrieri (South Park, Pa./Seton LaSalle Catholic HS) and a bases-loaded walk by Taylor Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) to trail, 16-14.

Pitt Bradford tacked on three runs in the bottom half of the frame to create some breathing room and left two Celtics stranded in the top of the seventh to secure the win.

Lucas suffered the loss in the circle after allowing 13 runs (five earned) on 13 hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. Lucas and Mackenzie Egley each hit 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Krislyn Clement went 4 for 5 with a home run, a double and five RBI to lead the Panthers. Lilly Hamels hit 3 for 4 with two doubles and four RBI. Sandra Watne earned the win for the Panthers, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits with three walks in 4.2 innings. Jenna Opel picked up the save, allowing one hit and three walks in the final 1.2 innings.

Game 2: L, 10-0 (5 inn.)

The Panthers blanked the Celtics, and pitcher Hannah Schnetzer scattered six hits with a walk to lead Pitt Bradford in the run-rule victory in the nightcap.

Pitt Bradford went ahead 5-0 in the first on five hits and two errors. The Panthers left three Carlow runners stranded in the second and retired the Celtics in order in the top of the third before adding two runs in the bottom half of the frame.

The Pitt Bradford defense left the bases loaded again in the fourth and tacked on three more runs with three hits in the bottom of the inning. The Panthers afforded the Celtics two hits and left two runners stranded in the top of the fifth to end the game.

Deborah Garza (San Antonio, Texas/Robert G. Cole HS) hit 2 for 2, and Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) suffered the loss after allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts in three innings.

Miranda Groll went 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBI, and Keelie Schneider hit 2 for 3 with two RBI to pace the Panthers.

Carlow travels to Pitt Greensburg for a 3 p.m. AMCC doubleheader April 8.