Pitt sweeps RMU, Pirates next

Perhaps nine is their magic number.

The Pitt softball team scored nine runs in each game of… Perhaps nine is their magic number.

The Pitt softball team scored nine runs in each game of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon to sweep Robert Morris and improve to 24-17 for the season.

The Panthers will return to action on Saturday as they host Big East rival Seton Hall for a doubleheader. The first game is set to start at 11 a.m.

Pitt 9, RMU 2

Freshman pitcher Cory Berliner allowed seven hits while striking out two on the way to her 13th victory of the season.

“For the most part, she was in control of the game,” coach Michelle Phalen said. “She had really good presence on the mound.”

Pitt fell behind in the top of the third inning when Berliner gave up two hits following an error by second baseman Mary Hecker, plating the first run of the game. With two runners on and no outs, Berliner was able to work her way out of trouble, forcing two fielder’s choice outs and fanning the last Colonial batter of the inning.

The Panthers responded in the bottom of the inning.

After Rebecca Stottlemyer reached first on an error, centerfielder Reba Tutt doubled to center, and Jess Dignon bunted her way on base to load the diamond for Samantha Card. The junior catcher hit a single to right field to plate two runs and give the Panthers a lead they would never relinquish.

Mary Hecker followed with another two RBI single to expand the Pitt lead to 4-1.

After a scoreless top of the fourth inning from the Colonials, the Panthers added four more runs in the bottom of the inning. Pinch hitter Mollie Illenberger drove in two runs as she reached base on an error by the Robert Morris first baseman.

With the 8-1 advantage in hand, Berliner cruised through the final three innings allowing only one unearned run and three hits to earn the complete game victory.

Sam Card, a transfer from Florida International, led the Pitt hitters with three RBIs on two hits and a run scored.

Pitt 9, RMU 0

Just breaking a team record wasn’t enough for the Panthers.

Pitt recorded its 13th shutout of the season in the second game of their doubleheader with Robert Morris, improving upon the previous record of 11 shutouts set in 2000.

Sophomore Kayla Zinger earned her 10th victory of the season, allowing only five hits over four innings of work. The combined shutout is Zinger’s fifth of the season and second consecutive.

Pitt opened the game by scoring six runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Freshman Ashley Amistade scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch by Robert Morris’ Lindsay Moates.

Following a two-RBI single by Mary Hecker, Zinger helped her own cause by dropping a blooper into shallow center field, plating Hecker.

Kelly Murphy was called upon to pinch run for Zinger, and she scored the fifth run of the inning by stealing home on a throw to second by the Colonial catcher. Alicia Broudy scored the inning’s final run on a sacrifice groundout by second baseman Kelly Stiles.

With the 6-0 lead, Zinger allowed only three more hits through her final three innings of work before giving way to Kaitlyn Schuster. With the lead at 9-0, Schuster worked a perfect fifth inning to preserve the Panther victory.

“Kaitlyn came in and pitched the fifth inning and they barely got the bat on the ball,” Phalen said. “The pitching has been really wonderful for us the past couple weeks.”

Hecker finished the game with a team-best two RBIs, giving her four on the day to go along with her four hits and one run scored.

Pitt pitching did not allow an earned run in either game and allowed only 12 hits for the entire doubleheader.