Pitt’s softball team has struggled as of late, winning only twice in its last nine contests…. Pitt’s softball team has struggled as of late, winning only twice in its last nine contests. The Panthers now have an overall record of 20-33 and 3-13 in conference play.

Despite all of the losses, the team has played many close games. The players continue to play competitive softball and have even met a few milestones over the nine-game stretch.

Francesca DiMaria became only the seventh player in team history to record 100 career hits and Casey Pickard set a personal best in doubles when she hit her 12th of the season against No. 25 Notre Dame.

Providence 4, Pitt 2

The Friars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third inning but the Panthers fought back in the fifth when Sheena Hellon hit her sixth double of the season and later scored on a sacrifice fly.

In the sixth, the Panthers turned to Christa Hunter, who tied the game by hitting her fourth home run of the season. But it was all for nothing, because Providence scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Panthers.

Providence 6, Pitt 2

The Panthers actually grabbed an early lead in the second game of the doubleheader at Raymond Field.

Pinch runner Morgan Howard was able to take advantage of a Providence mistake and crossed home plate on the error, giving Pitt a 1-0 lead.

Providence responded by knotting the game at one in the third. In the next inning, the Friars exploded offensively, scoring five runs to take a comfortable lead, which they held on to.

Pitt 9, St. Francis 2

The Panthers completed the season sweep of St. Francis by coming alive offensively.

Of the 10 hits Pitt had in the game, one stood out from the rest. With her first hit of the game, DiMaria picked up her 100th hit of her two-year career. She went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, and even managed to hit her seventh double of the season.

Heather Andrews, Heather Connor, Lisa McGregor and Hunter also all recorded doubles in the Panthers’ impressive victory.

Laura Belardinelli pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and only one earned run.

Pitt 3, Canisius 2

Heather Andrews accounted for all Pitt runs by hitting a three-run blast early in the game.

Canisius closed the gap in the third when it scored two runs, cutting the Pitt’s lead to one.

Freshman Meghan Bostick had a stellar performance on the mound for the Panthers, protecting Pitt’s lead by striking out seven and walking only three.

Canisius 3, Pitt 0

Belardinelli gave up a three-run homer in the second, which turned out to be all the Griffs needed to take down the Panthers.

Pitt recorded only two hits in the contest.

Syracuse 8, Pitt 7

After falling behind early, Beth Gill hit an RBI double to tie the game at one in the second.

Syracuse would score seven runs in the third and fourth innings combined. Connor brought the Panthers within one in the ninth when she doubled to bring in two runs. Pitt, however, failed to pull off the rally, grounding out to end the game.

Syracuse 6, Pitt 5

Extra innings were needed to decide the winner of this one.

McGregor’s sacrifice fly allowed Gill to score in the top of the ninth. But the lone run was not enough, as the Orangewomen hit a two-run home run to pick up the win.

Notre Dame 8, Pitt 0

The Fighting Irish (44-14, 16-0 Big East) made short work of the Panthers with good pitching and solid hitting.

Belardinelli had a tough day on the mound, allowing 13 hits and eight runs.

Notre Dame 9, Pitt 0

The second half of the doubleheader went almost the same as the first, as Pitt proved to be no match for mighty Notre Dame.

The Panthers had only six hits combined in the two games and failed to produce a single run.

Pitt’s next Big East action is a doubleheader at Boston College on May 8.