Howard, DiMaria lead softball to southern Pitt.

The Panther softball team salvaged what started out as an ugly weekend of games at the Myrtle… The Panther softball team salvaged what started out as an ugly weekend of games at the Myrtle Beach Chevy Chanticleer Classic over the weekend with wins in their final two games. The Panthers (3-6) lost the first two games of the classic but rebounded nicely. Their wins included one over Minnesota, who had beaten them earlier in the tournament.

Virginia Tech 4, Pitt 0

In the Panthers’ tournament opener, their offense once again left them stranded. Pitt managed just three hits – two from Morgan Howard – and was held scoreless by Hokies starter K. Maynard.

The Panthers had their best scoring chance in the third inning when Mary Hecker walked and moved to second on a Valerie Mihalik single. Howard’s bunt single loaded the bases for the Panthers with just one out, but Pitt left them stranded.

Meghan Bostick took the mound loss for the Panthers, allowing two runs off six hits and striking out four in her seven innings of work.

Minnesota 3, Pitt 1

The Panthers did everything they could to rally back and beat the Golden Gophers on Friday, but it wasn’t enough, as Minnesota held on for the win.

The Panthers got on the board in the fourth inning when Sheena Hellon scored off of Jessica Dignon’s single up the middle.

Pitt had a chance to add more runs in the sixth when Francesca DiMaria walked and advanced to third on Dignon’s second hit of the day, but both runners were left stranded.

Laura Belardinelli suffered her third loss of the season on the mound, allowing four hits and three earned runs in four innings of work. Christa Hunter came on for three shutout innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out two.

Pitt 8, Coastal Carolina 5

The Panthers scored a season-high eight runs and got their first win of the tournament, beating the host Chanticleers on Saturday morning.

Pitt scored five runs in the second inning to pull away. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Jessica Thomas drove in Heather Connor with a single to shortstop and the throw also allowed Joey Scarf to score. Hellon then followed with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a fielding error that allowed Thomas and Lisa McGregor to score as well.

Belardinelli got her first win of the season, going five innings and allowing five earned runs on six hits while striking out four.

Pitt 4, Minnesota 0

The Panthers rode the arm of Bostick in their final game of the tournament en route to their second-straight win and first shutout of the season.

Bostick allowed just three hits in seven innings while striking out four to pick up the win.

The Panthers got three runs off three hits in the third inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Scarf doubled down the right field line, scoring DiMaria and Connor. Jessica Dignon also scored on the play because of an error by Minnesota. Dignon continued her hot hitting in the fifth when she tripled to right field and later scored on another Minnesota error.

The Panthers are back in action Saturday when they travel to UNC-Greensboro for a doubleheader.