Pitt softball faces up and down weekend at LSU Invitational

Sophomore Macy Hamilton (5) gets a base hit against Davis and Elkins on Oct. 15, 2023, at Vartabedian Field.

Pitt softball traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this weekend to play its opening weekend of the 2024 season in the LSU Invitational. The Panthers faced an up-and-down weekend, going 2-2.

This marked the Panthers’ first regular-season outing under the leadership of first-year head coach Jenny Allard. The new Pitt head coach led the Panthers to a fall season record of 24-25.

Pitt first played a doubleheader against Memphis and No. 15 LSU on Friday.

Pitt toppled Memphis 5-0. Junior Kylie Griggs created the first run in the fourth inning, putting the Panthers 1-0. In the fifth inning, Pitt scored four more runs. Senior Kat Rodriguez led the Panthers, earning one hit in three at-bats. Griggs also posted three runs batted in and was at-bat four times.

Following their victory against Memphis, the Panthers took on LSU. In the first inning, LSU was able to get an early advantage by scoring two home runs. Pitt fumbled with three throwing errors, allowing LSU to cruise to a 5-0 victory. Sophomore Macy Hamilton managed to post a solid game despite the loss, earning one hit in three at-bats.

On Saturday, Pitt faced Memphis and LSU again in another doubleheader to finish up the weekend.

Pitt came out against Memphis by getting three runs in the second inning. Panthers’ first-year Jace Jackson picked up two stolen bases as well as scored on a bad throw. Junior Desirae Martinez posted two hits and one run batted in. The Panthers defeated Memphis 6-4, leading to their second victory over the Tigers that weekend.

Shortly after their victory, Pitt played LSU again, and the Tigers once again took an early advantage with two runs in the first inning. The Panthers saw a glimmer of hope after Griggs walked and Rodriguez put runners on the corners, but it wasn’t enough for the Panthers to secure a run. Pitt ultimately fell to LSU 7-0.

Pitt’s record now stands at 2-2. Pitt will have five televised games on the ACC network for the duration of the 2024 season. Prior to its meeting with LSU, Pitt had only a 13-77 record against top 25 opponents. This weekend showed that the Panthers might continue this track of falling to ranked competitors.

The Panthers will return in the Kennesaw State Tournament in Georgia from Feb. 16-18.

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