Panthers struggle in weekend games

The Pitt softball team broke a five-game losing streak by winning its first game of a… The Pitt softball team broke a five-game losing streak by winning its first game of a doubleheader against Notre Dame on Friday.

However, the Panthers were unable to keep the momentum, falling in the second game to the Fighting Irish before dropping both games against No. 22 DePaul on Sunday to finish the Big East road trip.

The Panthers’ record fell to 15-18 and 3-9 in the Big East.

Pitt returns to Pittsburgh on April 10 to take on Louisville in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

Pitt 5, Notre Dame 2

Notre Dame 7, Pitt 1

Pitt found its elusive offensive firepower in the first game against Notre Dame, finishing with six hits and five runs in the victory.

The Panthers struck first in the second inning when Reba Tutt ripped a three-run double to left center. The hit gave Tutt her fourth double of the season and her 11th RBI.

The inning began with Yvette Bravo reaching on catcher’s interference. Ashley Amistade and Amanda Rhodunda walked, loading the bases for Tutt.

The Irish answered in the third inning off Christine Lux’s double, but the Panthers refused to let Notre Dame get any closer.

In the fourth inning, Pitt added two more runs on a Niki Cognigni fly out and a Sam Card’s team-leading ninth double of the season.

Notre Dame attempted a comeback in the sixth inning when Lux scored on a wild pitch, but early scoring proved enough to keep the Panthers ahead.

Pitt pitcher Cory Berliner gave up five hits, walked two, and had two strikeouts before leaving in the sixth inning. Alyssa O’Connell relieved Berliner with the bases loaded and one out. She picked up her first save of the season when the Fighting Irish managed one unearned run en route to the victory.

In the second game, the Panthers could not keep their offensive spark alive.

Notre Dame pitcher Jody Valdivia managed a no-hitter through four innings. The Panthers totaled three hits and were unable to keep pace with the eight-hit, seven-run effort by the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame put two runs on the board in the third inning off Dani Miller’s double. The Fighting Irish scored twice more, but then the Panthers answered with their lone run in the fifth inning when Kristen Cheesebrew hit a lead-off double and Ciera Damon brought her home.

The Fighting Irish added two more runs in the bottom of the inning and one run in the sixth to finish off the Panthers.

DePaul 1, Pitt 0

DePaul 7, Pitt 3

The Panthers fell in a defensive struggle in their first game against DePaul.

Pitt’s Berliner held the Blue Demons scoreless through six innings, but Marie Thompson’s lead-off double in the seventh inning led to the game-winning score for DePaul. Berliner gave up five hits in the loss.

The team struggled offensively as Tutt’s single in the third inning was the only hit for the Panthers. Despite continued troubles at the plate, Pitt’s defense continued to shine, committing no errors in the game.

In the second game, DePaul pulled away with a late rally to win the tight-knotted matchup.

The Panthers scored first, putting two runs on the board in the seventh inning off a Cheesebrew’ double. DePaul moved within one at the bottom of the inning, but Pitt extended the lead back to two at the top of the fourth.

But the Panthers wouldn’t score again, and DePaul took advantage. The Blue Demons tied the game in the bottom of the fourth after the Panthers walked two and recorded a passed ball.

In the seventh inning, DePaul pulled away with three runs to produce the game’s final margin. Although Card advanced to third in the bottom of the frame, Pitt was unable to string together the hits for a late rally.

Junior Kayla Zinger pitched for the Panthers, recording the loss and falling to 2-9 on the season.

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