Pitt splits a pair with Cardinals

Pitt traveled to Louisville over the weekend for a Big East conference doubleheader at Ulmer… Pitt traveled to Louisville over the weekend for a Big East conference doubleheader at Ulmer Stadium and came away with a split, falling 11-4 in the opener and winning the second game, 8-0.

Five days after beating Penn State for the first time in school history, the Panthers were able to duplicate the feat in game two against Louisville, another team they had never beaten.

Senior Jessica Dignon paced the Panthers’ offensive attack in both games. Dignon finished the doubleheader 5 for 7 with three RBIs and five runs scored.

“Jess is a great spark plug,” Pitt coach Michelle Phalen said. “Whenever you look up, Jess is getting something started. She’s a great competitor.”

The trip to Louisville marks the end of six straight road games for the Panthers. Pitt (22-17, 7-5 Big East) will remain at home for its next 10 contests.

Phalen thinks that with finals approaching, the home stand should benefit the Panthers immensely.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Phalen said. “Just being on the road, you don’t get the rest you’d like.

“Going into finals weeks at home, the girls can focus and take care of their studies. I think it takes pressure off them.”

The relaxation is coming at the right time for Pitt. It has three important Big East series coming up against Seton Hall, St. John’s and Syracuse.

Pitt 4, Louisville 11

Pitt grabbed four runs in the top of the first but failed to score in the subsequent innings as it dropped the first game of the doubleheader.

Adverse weather conditions didn’t slow down the Panthers’ aggressive offensive attack in the first inning. Pitt put the pressure on Louisville early, showing why it leads the Big East in steals with 64.

The Panthers swiped seven bases in the first inning alone.

“We like to run the bases,” Phalen said. ” We’ll get thrown out every once and a while trying to take an extra base, but it forces teams to pay attentions to us.”

After the first inning Louisville took notice.

The Cardinals would go on to score 11 straight runs, but more importantly, they were able to tighten up their defense and keep the Panthers from crossing home plate.

“They made some good defensive plays,” Phalen said. “In the first inning they kicked the ball around a little, but they settled down.”

Pitt got on the board when freshman Reba Tutt scored on an errant Louisville throw following a single by Dignon. Dignon took second on the throw and then moved over to third. Junior Sam Card followed with a walk, and the Panthers were set up with runners at the corners. Pitt then executed a double-steal, with Dignon taking home.

A few plays later the Panthers successfully stole home again, and by the end of the inning they led, 4-0.

However, the Pitt bats cooled, and Louisville was able to get to freshman Cory Berliner (12-8) for 11 runs on 12 hits to escape with a win.

“We scored quick and relaxed,” Phalen said, “and they got back in the game and were able to win it.”

Pitt 8, Louisville 0

Sophomore Kayla Zinger was the difference for the Panthers as they posted their all-time best 12th shutout of the year.

After tying a season high with 11 runs scored in the first game, Louisville was unable to muster any offense against Zinger in the tail end of the doubleheader.

Zinger improved to 9-8 on the season and didn’t allow a hit through the first four innings, dominating the Louisville hitters on her way to a complete-game shutout and pitching seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four.

“Kayla pitched a wonderful game,” Phalen said. “She set the tone for us and stepped up and really took command of the team.”

Offensively, the Panthers were patient and used nine walks and three hit batters to push across eight runs in the win.

“We did a good job at the plate,” Phalen said. “I thought it showed a lot about our team to come back from a loss in the first game and get it together. It showed a lot of determination and character.”

Dignon was the offensive pacesetter again for the Panthers, going 3 for 3 with four runs scored.

She also added two RBIs to her all-time school record. Dignon has now driven in 104 runs in her career.

She also tied three other Pitt records in the game: doubles in a season (13), doubles in a career (41) and runs scored in a game (four).