Gasti pitches first no-no of her career

After a less than average start to the softball season, the Panthers wrapped up their stretch… After a less than average start to the softball season, the Panthers wrapped up their stretch of 23 games on the road with four wins in the Winthrop Invitational.

The wins extended Pitt’s winning streak to six games and improved their record to 9-14. Nikki Gasti, who was named Big East Player of the Week, won two games including the first no-hitter of her career. Gina Bessolo picked up the other wins along with her first save of the season.

Pitt 5, Southeast Missouri State 4

The Panthers took control of the game early, scoring five runs in the first three innings, including three in the first. Gasti overcame a rough start to earn the win, giving up four runs and eight hits over six innings. Bessolo pitched the seventh for the save.

Ana Velazquez led the first inning with a single and reached second on a sacrifice bunt by Missy Smith. After Casey Pickard was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Kelly Hulpa singled to score Velazquez and put the Panthers up 1-0. Heather Andrews followed with another single, scoring Smith and Pickard.

The Otahkians tied the game at three in the bottom of the first, but the Panthers added two runs in the top of the third to put the game away.

Pitt 5, Birmingham Southern 4 (10 innings)

The Panthers fought back from being down 3-0 behind strong relief performaces from Janelle Pepe and Bessolo.

Pitt closed the gap to 3-2 in the fourth. Pickard singled to right and, after Hulpa doubled, scored the Panthers’ first run on a single by Jodi McGartland. Two batters latter, Angela Blackmon singled to score McGartland.

The Panthers tied the game in the sixth and again in the bottom of the ninth after Birmingham Southern scored in its half of the inning.

Then, in the tenth, Pickard reached base safely on an error, scoring Smith for the win.

Bessolo pitched 3 2/3 of hitless relief to pick up the win.

Pitt 2, Gardner-Webb 0

Hulpa broke open a scoreless tie in the fifth with a double, scoring Velazquez and Kate Mitchell. Pitt managed just four hits, with two of them coming off the bat of Hulpa, but the Panthers were able to pick up the win behind another strong performance by Bessolo.

She pitched seven shutout innings, striking out four for her third win of the season.

Pitt 2, Jacksonville State 0 (8 innings)

The Panthers rolled to their sixth straight win behind Gasti’s first career no-hitter. Gasti, who allowed just three base runners over eight innings, recorded 11 strikeouts and retired the first 13 batters she faced.

Mitchell supplied the offense for the Panthers with a two-run single in the eighth, scoring McGartland and Beth Gill.

Sunday’s game against Tulsa was rained and the Panthers were named co-champion of the tournament because of their 4-0 record in pool B.

The Panthers open their home schedule Thursday afternoon with a doubleheader against St. Francis (PA). The first game will start at 2 p.m.