PITTSBURGH, Pa. – La Roche softball celebrated four seniors as it closed the 2024 season on Friday after, but at the end of the day, it was the visiting Pitt-Bradford Panthers who came out on top in both games.
GAME ONE: Pitt-Bradford 10 La Roche 1
Bradford opened the scoring of game one in the top of the second inning with a single run, then added two more in the top of the third to build a 3-0 lead.
The Panthers would then add a five spot in the top of the fifth to balloon the lead to 8-0.
La Roche needed to score a run to keep the game going and did so in the bottom of the fifth when Maria Schussler's sacrifice fly scored Briana Wynn to make it 8-1.
Bradford would add two more in the top of the seventh to close the scoring.
Ashtin Hoover started in the circle, tossing 4+ innings, allowing seven runs (four earned), nine hits and walked one.
Maura Wade threw three innings of relief, allowing three unearned runs, six hits and struck out one.
Offensively, the Redhawks could only muster two hits, singles by Wade and Emma Bizay.
GAME TWO: Pitt-Bradford 9 La Roche 0 F/5
Much like game one, the Panthers scored first, but did so in a bunch, scoring eight runs in the top of the second inning, then added one final tally in the top of the third.
La Roche's best chance came in the fourth inning, as runners reached second and third with no outs, but none were able to pass.
Hoover took the circle for a second straight game, this time going 1.2 innings and allowed eight runs (three earned), six hits, walked one and fanned one.
Wade would enter in relief again, tossing 1.1 innings and allowed one unearned run and two hits, then Klover Haberthier threw the final two innings and didn't allow a hit and struck out one.
Offensively, the Redhawks had six hits in game two, with Cassidee Fitterer's 2-for-2 leading the way.
La Roche's 2024 season comes to a close, but there is a lot to be optimistic and excited about, as the team will return seven starters and a team that was very young will continue to grow and be prepared for the 2025 campaign.