Still Swingin’ — Series splits earn Pitt Big East tourney berth

With the postseason fast approaching, Pitt softball entered the weekend attempting to halt a… With the postseason fast approaching, Pitt softball entered the weekend attempting to halt a six-game losing streak.

The Panthers snapped the skid Saturday with a win in the first of two games of their doubleheader with Providence at Trees Field. The Panthers (29-26 overall, 10-12 Big East) went on to split that series as well as Sunday’s doubleheader with Connecticut to finish their Big East schedule and clinch a berth in the Big East Tournament in South Bend, Ind., later this month.

“We worked hard to get to this point and we are now one step closer to a Big East championship for this program,” coach Michelle Phalen said. “Pitt softball has set numerous records and made huge gains this season.

“This is another tremendous result of this team’s hard work.”

Pitt 2, Providence 0

Pitt softball set a school record with its ninth Big East victory of the season as it downed the Providence Friars, 2-0, on Saturday at Trees Field.

Senior designated hitter Christa Hunter popped a two-run home run — her eighth of the season — in the bottom of the fourth inning to give Pitt a lead it would never rescind. The dinger moved Hunter into second place on Pitt’s all-time home run list with 18 career knocks.

Pitt starter Laura Belardinelli dominated the Friars all afternoon, striking out 10 batters while allowing just four hits. The junior pitched out of two bases-loaded jams to win her 14th game of the season, improving to 14-9.

Providence 3, Pitt 2

Pitt softball dropped its seventh game in eight contests with a 3-2 loss to the Providence Friars Saturday in the nightcap of its doubleheader at Trees Field.

The Panthers took the lead in the second inning when sophomore Valerie Mihalik scored from second after an errant throw got away from Providence first baseman Tara Sullivan. Later in the inning, shortstop Sheena Hellon slapped a double to deep center field, scoring junior Heather Connor from second to give Pitt a 2-0 lead.

But a two-out single by Providence center fielder Katie Ross drove in two Friars, giving Providence the lead in the top of the fourth. Pitt left two runners at third base in both the fifth and sixth innings, failing to tie the game.

Pitt starter Meghan Bostick tossed a complete game, striking out six while only walking two Friars. Her rough fourth inning led to her 14th loss of the season, dropping her season record to 8-14.

Connecticut 6, Pitt 2

Pitt lost the first game of its Sunday doubleheader with the UConn Huskies on Panthers Senior Day at Trees Field. The Panthers allowed five unearned runs en route to a 6-2 loss against the hot-hitting Huskies.

UConn scored in its first turn at the plate thanks to a double by designated hitter Allie Gendron that scored center fielder Micah Truax from third.

The Huskies loaded the bases in the top of the second with a pair of singles and a walk. Pitt third baseman Jessica Dignon booted a ground ball off the bat of Truax that scored the first UConn run of the inning. Shortstop Jillian Ortega then blasted a double to deep center field, scoring all three runners to open up a 5-0 lead.

Pitt second baseman Francesca DiMaria grounded out to second in the bottom of the third, scoring sophomore Rebecca Stottlemyer from third base.

In the fifth inning, DiMaria slapped a single up the middle to cut UConn’s lead to 5-2. The Panthers loaded the bases on a Morgan Howard single, but Huskies starter Krista Michalczyk ended the rally, getting a flyout and groundout to squelch the Pitt comeback.

Laura Belardinelli pitched five innings, giving up five runs, only one of which was earned. The loss dropped her record to 14-10.

Pitt 1, Connecticut 0

Pitt starter Meghan Bostick notched her fourth shutout of the season as the Panthers blanked the Huskies in their Big East finale.

Bostick tossed a complete game, striking out two while allowing just four hits. The win improved the junior’s record to 9-14.

Shortstop Sheena Hellon scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the second when sophomore Valerie Mihalik smacked a sacrifice fly to center field. Hellon finished 2-for-2 as the Panthers tallied six total hits.

The next time Pitt will play a conference opponent will be in the conference tournament.

“We are all excited about making it to the tournament, especially since it was one of our main goals this season,” DiMaria said. “Now we are just going to focus on preparing to play the best we can at the tournament.”