Gasti throws second career no-hitter as Panthers go 2-1

Senior Nikki Gasti earned Most Valuable Pitcher honors at the Charlotte First Pitch Classic… Senior Nikki Gasti earned Most Valuable Pitcher honors at the Charlotte First Pitch Classic as the Panthers finished 2-1.

“Gasti was just untouchable this weekend,” head coach Michelle Phalen said.

Gasti (2-2) fired her second career no-hitter for Pitt. She struck out 19 batters, and gave up just four hits and one run in 11 innings pitched, all on Sunday afternoon.

Gasti currently has 32 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings on the season.

Pitt 3, East Tennessee State 1

Three Bucs errors in the fourth inning proved costly as the Panthers capitalized with a three-run burst. Designated hitter Kelly Hulpa picked up a two-run double and scored when Angela Blackmon reached base on an error.

Hulpa had both of the Panthers’ two hits.

Senior pitcher Janelle Pepe tossed the five-hitter for the Panthers, getting her second victory this season. With seven strikeouts, Pepe’s only run given up came off a solo home run.

Pitt 1, Charlotte 0

Gasti shut down the 49ers in the second game of the tournament with eight strikeouts, no runs or hits and three walks.

The Panthers sole run came in the top of the fourth when Hulpa knocked in her third run of the weekend with a single, scoring senior Ana Velazquez.

Hulpa is tied for second on the team for the most RBIs with five.

This run was enough for Gasti, who shut out the 49ers.

Senior catcher Tiffany White had two of the four Pitt hits, with senior Natalie Phillips and Hulpa contributing the other two.

College of Charleston 5, Pitt 2

The Panthers were unable to complete the sweep as they fell to the Cougars early in the game. Freshman Christa Hunter took the loss, turning the game over to Gasti, down 4-1.

“We just ran out of gas this game,” Phalen said. “Luckily Nikki didn’t.”

Gasti fired 11 strikeouts in four innings of relief work. This was just hours after tossing her no-hitter.

The 11 strikeouts were good for a team record for strikeouts in a game.

Hunter and sophomore Casey Pickard had Pitt’s only hits. Pickard has been picking up the offensive numbers and is second on the team in batting average at .320 and RBIs with five.

White continued her strong defense behind the plate with 12 putouts. This gave her 55 for the season, the most on the team.

“The first weekend we were led by offense, this weekend we had great pitching and great defense,” Phalen said. “Hopefully it will all come together.”

Pitt will travel south to Florida for an 11-game stand beginning Saturday, including the South Florida Speedline Invitational to play many top softball teams.

“We are looking forward to the trip,” Phalen said. “It’s going to be a great challenge, but I think we are ready.”