Softball: Panthers drop two against Providence

Despite taking leads in both contests, the Pitt softball team could not hold on.

The… Despite taking leads in both contests, the Pitt softball team could not hold on.

The Panthers dropped two games to conference opponent Providence College during a Saturday doubleheader at Trees Field.

The softball squad entered the showdown against Providence with a 13-11 record on the season. Providence came into the game with just a 6-13 record. It was the opening Big East series for both teams.

After the losses, Pitt Head Coach Holly Aprile said, “We did not play well. We didn’t hit the ball; we are remaining inconsistent at the plate and because of that, we are unable to win games without scoring any runs.”

In the first game of the doubleheader, junior pitcher Cory Berliner was effective throughout most of the outing on the mound, setting the Friars down in order in the first three innings and giving up just two runs in 5.2 innings. The effort wasn’t enough, as the Panthers dropped the first game 7-2.

Pitt (13-13) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning after junior centerfielder Reba Tutt drove a 2-2 pitch deep over the centerfield wall, allowing junior leftfielder Ashley Amistade to score. Amistade previously reached base on an infield single.

But the Panthers could not hold onto the lead. In the top of the fourth inning, the Friars closed the gap to 2-1 after three consecutive one-out singles.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Panthers went to the bullpen, bringing in senior Kayla Zinger. It didn’t take long for the Friars to rough up Zinger, as Michelle Huber led off the inning with a homerun over the leftfield wall to tie the game at two.

The Friars scored three more runs that inning, giving them a 5-2 advantage.

The Panthers had a chance to cut the lead but could not capitalize on a bases-loaded opportunity in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Freshman Holly Stevens began the inning with a single, sophomore Yvette Bravo walked and Kristen Cheesebrew advanced both runners with bunts. After a strikeout and a walk, the bases were loaded with two outs, but Ciera Damon struck out to end the inning.

Bright spots for the Panthers came from Tutt, who went 2-for-4 with a triple and homerun. Amistade finished the game with two infield singles.

In the second game of the doubleheader the Panthers dropped yet another tough outing 2-1. Junior Alyssa O’Connell got the start, giving up only one hit in the complete game. O’Connell proved to be hard to handle for the Friars, as she had seven strikeouts.

Pitt was ineffective at the plate in the second game, reaching base with six hits and two hit batters. Two of the hits were recorded by sophomore shortstop Niki Cognigni.

The Panthers went ahead in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Amistade knocking in Cognigni, who reached on an infield single.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Friars took advantage of a walk and two wild pitches that could not be handled by Stevens to score two runs.

“We played well defensively, and in the second game, Alyssa [O’Connell] pitched very well. As we move forward, we have to improve on hitting the ball. We just need to get better,” Aprile said.

The Panthers will look to improve during a two-game series at home versus St. Francis College on Tuesday, and again in a road doubleheader at Villanova on Thursday.