Panthers play in tournament

The Pitt softball team continued its roller-coaster season this past weekend with a pair of… The Pitt softball team continued its roller-coaster season this past weekend with a pair of losses on Saturday, which was followed up with a pair of wins on Sunday that allowed them to claim the Terrapin Invitational Tournament Championship.

Pitt brought home two wins in the Terrapin Invitational softball tournament, held in College Park, Md., behind solid outings from pitcher Laura Belardinelli and took advantage of a costly error in the championship game.

Maryland 9, Pitt 6

In game one, Maryland posted the early scoring when it took a 2-0 lead on the Panthers. Pitt managed to erase the deficit in the third inning and was ahead 3-2.

With two outs and a runner on second base, Francesca DiMaria connected on her first double of the day. DiMaria went 2-for-3 at the plate, with one RBI and two doubles. Heather Andrews followed with a two-run homer to left center field that gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead.

Pitt increased their lead to three off of a two-run double from pinch hitter Christa Hunter and an RBI single delivered by Jen O’Donnell.

The Panthers could not sustain their lead as the Terrapins posted a six-run seventh inning. On the mound, Meghan Bostick allowed 12 hits and nine runs, while striking out five in 6.2 innings of work. At the plate, the Panthers posted eight hits, including two by DiMaria, O’Donnell and freshman Sheena Hellon.

Delaware State 3, Pitt 2

Pitt jumped on the board first against Delaware State, posting a run in each of the first two innings. An RBI double by DiMaria in the first and a Joey Scarf single that scored Heather Connor accounted for the Panthers’ two runs.

Delaware State took a 3-2 lead in the fourth and kept the Panthers from scoring throughout the remainder of the game, despite the Pitt’s 12 hits. With runners on first and third and two outs, the Panthers had an opportunity to regain the lead in the fifth inning, but could not capitalize as the final batter of the inning struck out.

Despite the loss, Belardinelli pitched a complete game allowing three runs and seven hits, while striking out two.

Pitt 4, Columbia 2

The Panthers jumped on Columbia early as they took a three-run lead in the top of the third inning. Morgan Howard’s bunt single led off the inning and she stole second base before Scarf singled to left field, sending Howard to third. Hellon’s RBI single scored Howard and gave Pitt a 1-0 lead. Scarf advanced to third base and scored on an error by Lion catcher Shelle Borton. DiMaria then singled Hellon home for the score.

Columbia tallied a run in both the third and fourth innings, cutting Pitt’s lead to just one, but was unable to score for the rest of the game.

Casey Pickard scored the Panthers’ final run of the game to increase Pitt’s lead to two. On the mound, Bostick allowed five hits and two runs, striking out three in four innings of work. Belardinelli pitched the final three innings for the Panthers, allowing one hit and striking out four.

With the win, the Panthers advanced to the championship game to face Maryland for the second time in the tournament.

Pitt 2, Maryland 1

In the championship game, Maryland’s Lindsey Klein smashed a leadoff home run to give the Terrapins the early 1-0 lead.

Maryland took its one-run lead into the seventh inning before Pitt posted two runs to secure a victory. Missy Smith and Pickard hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Scarf then reached first on an error by Terrapin shortstop Nneka Cardoza that sent Pickard and Howard home for the score, giving Pitt a 2-1 lead.

With another strong performance, Belardinelli allowed six hits and one run, while striking out three in six innings of work. Bostick pitched the final inning for the Panthers, striking out one.

The Panthers play their home opener today against Youngstown State. Game time for the double-header is set for 2 p.m.