April 23, 2006
Box Score
LOUISVILLE, KY--The University of Pittsburgh softball team dropped its twinbill against Louisville, this afternoon, at Ulmer Stadium. Pitt fell 5-0 in game one and 8-0 in the second contest. The Panthers slipped to 27-24 on the season and are now 8-10 in the conference.
Junior Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) worked 5.1 innings, giving up four runs and 10 hits. Freshman Kaitlyn Schuster (Ellwood City, Pa./Lincoln) came in for relief in the sixth and allowed two hits.
In the fourth and fifth innings, the Panthers held the Cardinals scoreless with a runner at third. In the fourth, Louisville loaded the bases, but Pitt held on by throwing out a runner at home and then senior Francesca DiMaria (Pittsburgh, Pa,/Montour) fielded the final out when she stepped on second for the forced out.
Juniors Joey Scarf (Humble, Texas/Humble) and Sheena Hellon (Sacramento, Calif./Cordova) both doubled in the game but were left on base.
After scoring its first run in the first inning, Louisville rallied four runs in the sixth.
In the second game of the doubleheader, senior Christa Hunter (Sacramento, Calif./Harim Johnson West) was charged with seven runs off 10 hits, while Louisville posted four runs in the sixth inning to end the game.
In the fifth inning of game two, Pitt stranded three runners after Hellon doubled to left field and sophomores Mary Hecker (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) and Valerie Mihalik (Scheneckville, Pa./Parkland) earned two-out walks. However, the next batter struck out, ending the opportunity.
After taking the week off for finals, the Panthers will host Providence and Connecticut in its final Big East weekend of the regular season. Pitt will take the field against the Friars on Saturday prior to its Sunday contest with the Huskies. Both doubleheaders are slated for 11 a.m.
