Pitt softball loses four of five games in Texas

After dropping three of five games to open the season, Pitt looked to rebound in the… After dropping three of five games to open the season, Pitt looked to rebound in the Hyatt Regency Cougar Classic hosted by the University of Houston.

The games didn’t turn out how they hoped, as they managed to win only one out of five games.

Pitt 3, Mississippi State 2

Pitt freshman Laura Belardinelli earned her first career win in a complete game-pitching performance over the Bulldogs.

With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, Pitt’s Morgan Howard started off with a single to get things going. Sheena Hellon then doubled to drive in Howard for the game-winning run.

Houston 5, Pitt 0

Pitt fell to Houston 5-0 in extra innings. The game remained scoreless until the ninth, when the Cougars notched five runs in their half of the inning.

Pitt’s Belardinelli struck out seven batters in her second complete game of the day and first baseman Casey Pickard chipped in defensively with 10 putouts.

BYU 10, Pitt 2

Pitt fell hard to Brigham Young by losing, 10-2. The Panthers found themselves in a hole early and were unable to mount any sort of comeback.

BYU took an early three-run lead in the first, while Pitt attempted to come back by scoring one of their own. Pitt’s Francesca DiMaria walked and then stole second, and Pickard drove her home from second with a single to left field.

BYU would go on to score seven more runs, while Pitt failed to mount a big enough rally to win the game.

Virginia 5, Pitt 3

Pitt took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, taking advantage of the two errors committed by Virginia’s infield. Pitt’s one-run lead would hold up until the third inning, when Virginia managed to tie the game.

With the bases loaded again in the sixth inning, Pitt’s Jen O’Donnell doubled in a run to give the Panthers the 2-1 lead. However, the Cavaliers answered back with a four-run sixth inning.

Pitt was able to drive in a run in the top of the seventh to narrow the lead and had the opportunity to win the game later with bases loaded and two outs, but couldn’t capitalize as the last batter struck out to end the inning.

Villanova 8, Pitt 0

In its final game of the weekend, Pitt was shut out 8-0 by the Wildcats in five innings. The Panthers lost their fourth straight game, dropping their record to 3-7 on the season.

Pitt had only three hits in the five innings, including a double by Hellon and singles from Howard and O’Donnell.

Meghan Bostick started for the Panthers and pitched two innings, allowing four hits and four runs, and was followed by Belardinelli who pitched just one inning, allowing three hits and four runs. Christa Hunter pitched the final inning for Pitt.

The Panthers are next in action March 5 when they travel to Huntington, W.Va., for the Ramada Marshall Spring Classic.