Standing in at fourth place in the Big East, the Pitt softball team enters a crucial weekend… Standing in at fourth place in the Big East, the Pitt softball team enters a crucial weekend of doubleheaders at both South Florida and Louisville.

And the Panthers’ work is cut out for them.

The South Florida Bulls currently stand atop the Big East, holding an undefeated 8-0 record (38-19 overall) in their first year in the conference.

While fellow newcomer Louisville is 26-8 overall, their 5-3 conference mark ranks third, placing Pitt right behind at 8-6 (27-20 overall) with an opportunity to advance.

The Cardinals, however, are also ranked No. 20 nationally and South Florida is only two spots out of the top 25. The Bulls did make their case on Sunday by sweeping Louisville, 2-1 and 4-0, on the road.

For Pitt, the pitching staff looks to rebound from its recent tough outing at Penn State. Junior Meghan Bostick held Penn State in check until the Nittany Lions scored three runs off her for a seventh inning win in the first game.

Fellow junior Laura Belardinelli couldn’t carry the momentum from a win at Syracuse and gave up five runs in the second game, a 5-2 defeat for the Panthers.

Still, the Panthers’ pitchers have been impressive this season and are a huge factor in the team’s success.

On the year, Bostick features an 8-12 record with a 3.26 ERA, while Belardinelli is 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA. Combined, the two have struck out 208 batters in 248 innings pitched.

On the hitting side, senior second baseman Francesca DiMaria continues to lead the team with a .356 average, while Christa Hunter paces the Panthers with seven homers. First baseman Lisa McGregor sits behind Hunter with six of her own home runs.

Hunter has also picked up five wins against one loss with a 2.18 ERA while on double duty, mainly as a relief pitcher.

On Friday, the Panthers will match up with a couple of seniors who lead the Bulls’ offensive efforts. Third baseman Krista Holle’s .358 average poses a threat, and outfielder Tiffany Stewart’s eight dingers add the power.

The young tandem of freshman Cristi Ecks and sophomore Bree Spence are already making noise for South Florida on the mound. Both have won more than 15 games, while posting ERAs near the 1.00 mark with Ecks at 16-10 and a 1.06 ERA and Spence at 17-6 and a 1.17 ERA.

After a day of travel, Pitt faces yet another challenge at Louisville on Sunday when it meets up with junior pitcher Catherine Bishop’s 17-5 record and miniscule 0.82 ERA.

Senior third baseman Lacy Wood leads the Cardinals with a .394 average and is trailed by junior shortstop Courtney Moore, who’s hitting .378. Louisville is coming off a loss to state rival Kentucky, 3-1, on Wednesday.

It’s a big weekend for the Panthers, who look to make a move towards the Big East Tournament held in South Bend, Ind.

After this weekend, Pitt’s final two Big East series come next weekend against Connecticut and Providence before finishing up with out-of-conference foe and cross-town rival Robert Morris.

Friday’s games start at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, while Sunday’s games are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.