Pitt-Greensburg opened the AMCC Tournament in dominant fashion Wednesday evening, using a six-run third inning to pull away for an 11-4 victory over Pitt-Bradford at Sargent's Stadium. The Bobcats pounded out 16 hits and received strong production throughout the lineup to advance to the next round of the conference tournament.
Pitt-Greensburg wasted little time getting on the board in the bottom of the first inning. James Domer ripped a double to left center and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Tommy Smith to give the Bobcats an early 1-0 lead. After Pitt-Bradford answered with a run in the second inning, UPG regained the advantage in the bottom half when Colby Rearick singled and eventually came home on a sacrifice fly by William Somers.
The game turned decisively in the third inning as the Bobcats erupted for six runs on seven hits. Rearick delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a two-run double to left field, scoring Josh Preston and Colin Solinski to extend the lead to 4-1. Hunter Gideons followed with a single before Neo Miller worked a walk to load the bases. Somers then lined a two-run single up the middle, and consecutive RBI singles from Domer and Smith capped the explosive inning and pushed the advantage to 8-1.
Pitt-Bradford attempted to chip away in the fourth inning with a two-run double from Alex Ognen, but the Bobcats responded again in the fifth. Gideons singled and later scored on another RBI hit from Somers before Neo Miller crossed the plate on a double-play ball to make it 10-3.
The Panthers added a solo homer from Grant Casses in the seventh, but Pitt-Greensburg answered with an insurance run in the eighth inning. Smith doubled to lead off the frame and later scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Jonah Marks to extend the lead back to seven runs.
On the mound, Landon Huth earned the win after striking out three over two innings of work. Mason Miller, Calvin Bernard, Matt Mazzara and JJ Siemon combined to close out the game, with Siemon striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.
Somers led the offense with two hits and four RBIs, while Rearick finished with two hits and two RBIs. Gideons went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, and Solinski added three hits in the victory. Smith also drove in two runs as part of the balanced offensive effort.
With the win, Pitt-Greensburg advances in the AMCC Tournament and will face Hilbert on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Sargent's Stadium.
