Panthers get to 100th win against Cleveland State

Despite what proved to be a record-setting week for the Pitt softball team, the Panthers… Despite what proved to be a record-setting week for the Pitt softball team, the Panthers struggled, managing to win only four of the 11 games they played during spring break.

“We just weren’t consistent with putting the defense with the pitching and the hitting,” head coach Michelle Phalen said. “I’m optimistic because I’ve seen us look really good and I know we’re capable of [playing better].”

With its 12-5 victory over Cleveland State at the Ramada Marshall Classic in Huntingdon, W.Va., Pitt (7-14) earned the 100th victory in the history of its softball program.

Pitt 12, Cleveland State 5

In the victory, freshman shortstop Sheena Hellon connected on the first home run of her young career, while freshman pitcher Laura Belardinelli struck out five in pitching a complete game to pick up the win for Pitt. Sophomore second baseman Francesca DiMaria batted in one run on two hits in five attempts.

“Our freshmen pitchers are going to be in the middle of a lot of situations,” Phalen said. “It’s not like they don’t know how to play the game. They’re just trying to learn how to respond to each other and support each other. They’ve come a long way.”

Eastern Michigan 7, Pitt 4

Freshman pitcher Meghan Bostick struck out 12 in five strong innings for the Panthers, but Pitt was unable to hold on to the victory; Eastern Michigan scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win. The Panthers received a strong performance from DiMaria — she connected on a school-record two triples in a game for the second time this season.

Pitt 2, Marshall 0

Belardinelli pitched her first career shutout, leading Pitt to a 2-0 defeat of Marshall on its home field.

“Laura looked very dominating,” Phalen said. “She’s been a very dominant pitcher for us at times, and we need her to be more consistent with that, too. Laura threw the ball real well.”

Pitt 5, Cleveland State 2

Pitt completed its sweep of Cleveland State with the help of two RBIs on a double and triple by freshman catcher Heather Connor. Belardinelli picked up the win for the Panthers, allowing allowed one earned run on five hits in seven innings.

Marshall 5, Pitt 4

In the championship game of the Ramada Marshall Classic, Marshall avenged its previous-day loss in defeating Pitt by the score of 5-4. Connor recorded two RBIs for the Panthers, while DiMaria added one RBI in the losing effort.

Winthrop 9, Pitt 2 (Game One)

In the first game of its first doubleheader of the season, Winthrop scored seven early runs to defeat the Panthers by the score of 9-2. Belardinelli struck out five in six innings of work while taking the loss for Pitt.

Winthrop 7, Pitt 4 (Game Two)

In the nightcap, the Panthers and Winthrop battled for five innings before the Lady Eagles took control of the game with a four-run effort in the sixth inning. Pitt attempted to mount a comeback, with sophomore outfielder Jessica Thomas and DiMaria each scoring one run apiece, but the rally was not enough; the Panthers dropped their third consecutive game.

Pitt 4, Hartford 2

In the first game of the Winthrop Ringor Invitational over the weekend, junior first baseman Casey Pickard hit a walk-off, two-run home run in the eighth inning to give the Panthers their seventh win of the season. Bostick and Belardinelli combined for 10 strikeouts and three hits in eight innings of work.

Akron 5, Pitt 4

Pickard’s hot streak continued as she went for four-for-four against Akron with three doubles and four RBIs. However, Akron scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to snatch the victory away from Pitt.

“[Pickard]’s really stepping up,” Phalen said. “We expect her to be a leader. She’s one of our captains. She swings the bat hard and she goes after pitches. She was hitting the ball real hard all weekend.”

East Tennessee State 5, Pitt 3

Despite a strong performance from Belardinelli, the Buccaneers scored three runs in the second inning and added two more late in the game to hand Pitt its second defeat of the tournament. Freshman outfielder Joey Scarf recorded her first collegiate home run and finished two-for-three at the plate in the losing effort.

Central Florida 10, Pitt 2

Pitt surrendered four runs in the third inning and five more in the fifth on the way to a 10-2 loss in the final game of the Winthrop Ringor Invitational.