Notre Dame washes Pitt away, 13-1

If the weather didn’t completely ruin this past weekend for the Pitt softball team, the Fighting Irish definitely finished the job.

The Panthers (24-14, 5-8 ACC) fell to 20th ranked Notre Dame (28-6,6-3 ACC) in South Bend, Indiana, Sunday. It was the only game the two teams played this weekend after two weather-related cancellations.

The weekend series was originally scheduled as a single game on Friday with a doubleheader on Saturday. Horrendous weather conditions left the field unplayable for either of the first two games and caused two rain delays in Sunday’s game.

On Sunday, Notre Dame’s offense shone through as it took an early lead on freshman Caitlyn Brooks’ two-run hit in the bottom of the first.

Panther senior Jenna Modic couldn’t settle in on the mound or get into a rhythm as she allowed 10 hits off of 26 at-bats in little more than three innings.

The Fighting Irish took advantage of Modic’s misfortune and extended their lead in the second.

After a leadoff single and a fielder’s choice back to Modic, the Irish had runners at first and second. Notre Dame moved into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt, and both runners came in on a double.

The Irish surged in the bottom of the fourth — bringing in six runs and sealing the score at 13-0. Sophomore pitcher Kayla Harris came in for Modic on the mound after three excruciating innings.

Redshirt senior Shelby Pickett, whose bat has been crucial for Pitt this season, put the Panthers on the board in the top of the fifth as she nailed a shot over the wall in left field.

Pickett leads the team in hits on the season. In the last seven games, she has posted 12 hits in 27 at-bats to hit .444 overall. In last weekend’s series against St. Bonaventure, three of Pickett’s four at-bats were home runs.

Picket was the only Panther to bring in a run on Sunday, helping her team avoid a shutout.

The Panthers walked off the rain-drenched field after five innings, marking their fifth conference loss of the season, 13-1.

Pitt’s last home non-conference matchup of the season will be Wednesday, April 13, against Saint Francis in a doubleheader set to begin at 3 p.m.