Bradford, Pa. -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball team got their 2022 campaign started on Saturday? The Panthers remained close to their hosts from Randolph-Macon for the majority of the contests until late Yellow Jacket rallies put the game away.

Game 1:

The Panthers started their season with a 13-5 loss in game one.

• Pitt-Bradford fell behind early as Randolph-Macon rushed a run across in the first on a walk, stolen base, and two wild pitches from Panther starter Kyler Majka. They Were able to bounce back and take the lead in the third. David Gebhard led off the inning with a single up the middle and Nico Hall reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt to put the first runners on. After a Reid Tarnowski sacrifice moved the runners over and a pop-up to short, Jake McNabb stepped in and delivered a clutch double down the right-field line. This scored two runs and put the Panthers ahead. 
• The Panther advantage did not last long The Yellow Jackets were able to put three on the board using a Panther error and two home runs to retake the lead.
• Pitt-Bradford battled back in the next inning, as they were added two more runs to tie the game. Tyler Aires led off with an infield single and moved to second when Noah Meyers reached on an error. The Panthers used another sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position and Nico Hall delivered a two-out single to center to bring both runs around. In the bottom of the inning, Alex Fetter entered the game and was unable to keep Randolph-Macon off the board as they used a two-out walk and a double to left to restore their one-run lead.
• Following a quiet fifth, the Panthers tied things up one more time in the 6th. Bret Babcock led off the inning with a double down the third baseline. After two Panthers were unable to bring him in, Evan Fragela tattooed a pitch off of the 405 sign in center field for a run-scoring triple.  Pitt-Bradford was able to load the bases with back-to-back walks, but the Yellow Jackets were able to get Tarnowski to ground out to end the threat.
• Tied at 5 in the bottom of the 6th, the hosts exploded for 8 runs to win the game. they scored them on 6 hits, two free passes, and a fielder's choice. Fetter was tagged for 7 of the runs, while Trent Bielak got the final two outs and gave up the 8th.

Alex Fetter (0-1) picks up the loss after allowing 8 runs n 5 hits and 4 walks in 2 and a third. He struck out 5. Kyler Majka pitched 3 innings, allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out four.

Nico Hall batted in the leadoff spot and reached base on all four plate appearances. He walked twice, had a single, and reached on a sacrifice bunt. He also had 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, and a stolen base. Jake McNabb finished 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs. 

Game 2:

The second game of the day saw the Panther offense struggle to get started as they were only able to muster 3 hits in a 7-1 loss.

• Alex Miles started the game for the Panthers on the hill. He was able to set down the Yellow Jackets in order in the first, but fell behind in the 2nd, allowing a run on a hit, two free passes, and an unsuccessful fielders choice. The hosts tacked on a second run in the 3rd. Miles walked the leadoff batter and hit the second, and then allowed a single to left-center to bring a run around. He was able to settle down after that, inducing a double play and getting a pop-up to keep the deficit at 2 runs. 
• The Panthers were able to get one run back in the 4th. Nico Hall led off the inning and hit a fly ball down the right-field line, Hall hustled out of the box, and took advantage of a Randolph-Macon error on the play, getting all the way to third base with no outs. Two batters later, Justin Dattoli served a single into right field to bring Hall home. 
• The Panthers were unable to keep momentum, as Miles allowed a leadoff home run down the right-field line to restore the 2-run margin. Miles allowed one final run in the 5th when he gave up a single and double. He was able to strand the second runner on third base to complete his day.
• Shawn Mannering replaced Miles in the 6th and struck out the first batter he faced. HE was unable to maintain that momentum as he walked the next two batters and then allowed a triple to the gap in right-center to bring them around. He retired the next batter on a run-scoring sacrifice fly and then got out of the inning with a grounder to third. 
• The Panthers were able to start a rally in the 7th but were unable to bring any more runs around. Noah Meyers led off the inning and drew a walk. Following back-to-back strikeouts, Kevin Rehak singled down the left-field line and Reid Tarnowski loaded the bases with a walk. Hall stepped up next and delivered a line drive into center, but it hung up in the air and was tracked down by the Yellow Jacket outfield.

Alex Miles (0-1) takes the loss after allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 5.0 innings pitched. He struck out two. Mannering allowed 3 runs on 1 hit and 2 walks in an inning pitched. Kevin Rehak, Evan Fragela, and Justin Dattoli collected the three hits for the Panthers, all singles. Dattoli drove in Nico Hall for the lone Panther run. 

The Panthers begin their season 0-2. They will have a chance to get back in the win column as they remain in Virginia for one more game with Randolph Macon. They will play a 9-inning game beginning at 12:00 p.m.