Softball sweeps doubleheader against St. Francis

After dropping three out of four Big East Conference games this past weekend, the Panther… After dropping three out of four Big East Conference games this past weekend, the Panther softball team regrouped and swept a non-conference doubleheader from St. Francis on Tuesday at Trees Field.

In game one, the Panthers’ bats exploded, propelling them to a shutout victory, while in game two, the Panthers escaped with a victory in a classic pitching duel.

“We hit the ball real well today,” head coach Michelle Phalen said. “In the first game, we really set the tone. It was just a really good day for us.”

Pitt 12, St. Francis 0

In game one, the Panthers scored runs in every inning, highlighted by Krista Hunter’s first home run of the season.

Hunter hit a three-run home run in the second inning and finished the day with two runs scored and three RBIs. She reached base in all five of her plate appearances, picking up two hits and two walks, along with getting hit by a pitch.

Pitt jumped on the scoreboard with three runs in its half of the first inning and continued to pour it on from there. The Panthers rocked St. Francis’ pitchers for 12 hits, leaving just five runners on base.

Casey Pickard went 3-for-3, belting her second home run of the season and adding a double and four RBIs.

Freshman Meghan Bostick pitched four shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out three to pick up her ninth win of the season. Hunter came in to pitch the last inning, striking out two to go along with two walks.

Christina Chanko picked up the loss for St. Francis, allowing seven runs — three of which were unearned. Cassie Scofield and Richele Hall had the only hits for the Red Flash.

Pitt 3, St. Francis 1

Game two of the doubleheader was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning, when Pitt’s Beth Gill singled and stole second and third base before scoring on a Francesca DiMaria sacrifice fly.

In the fourth inning, freshman Sheena Hellon doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Heather Connor to make the score 2-0 Panthers.

The Red Flash cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth, when Brianne McCabe drove in Jordanna Riggi.

But Pitt returned the favor. In the bottom half of the inning, Hunter hit her second home run of the day to make it 3-1 and provide the Panthers with all the insurance they would need. She hit only one home run all of last season.

Laura Belardinelli pitched seven innings, giving up only three hits and one run to earn her seventh victory of the season. Amanda Pighetti was on the losing end for St. Francis, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on four hits and striking out three.

“We look at it as every game means something, whether it is Big East or not,” said Hunter. “We try to improve every game, and we came out trying to improve from this past weekend.

The Panthers continue their Big East schedule this weekend when they travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader.