University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
22-24
Robert Morris
21-15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| Robert Morris | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 3 |
Pitt Tops Robert Morris
4/21/2026 6:21:00 PM | Softball
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Pitt earned a 5-2 victory over Robert Morris Tuesday evening, powered by a dominant performance in the circle from Gwen Sparks and timely offense late in the game.
Sparks anchored the Panthers, tossing a complete-game effort while matching a career high with eight strikeouts. The right-hander walked just one batter and held the Colonials scoreless through six innings, allowing two earned runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Pitt and Robert Morris remained scoreless through the first three innings as Sparks settled in early, allowing just two hits and striking out three of the first 10 batters she faced, including back-to-back strikeouts to end the second inning.
The Panthers broke through in the top of the fifth when Gracie Helton led off the frame with a solo home run to left-center field, giving Pitt a 1-0 advantage.
Robert Morris threatened in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with two outs on a walk and consecutive singles. Sparks escaped the jam by striking out Courtney Poulich to preserve the lead.
Pitt added to its advantage in the sixth inning. KK Esparza opened the inning with a single, and Mackenzie Reese followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position. Addison Toczek entered as a pinch runner for Esparza and came around to score on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Panthers broke the game open in the seventh, plating three runs. Pitt capitalized on a Robert Morris fielding error to score and take a 3-0 lead, then added runs on a wild pitch and a groundout to third to push the margin to 5-0 with two outs.
Robert Morris mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh with three straight singles. The Colonials scored on a groundout to third and added another run on a single up the middle, but Sparks closed the door to secure the 5-2 win.
Mackenzie Reese led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base, while Helton finished 1-for-2 with the go-ahead home run.
Pitt returns to action at Vartabedian Field on Saturday with a doubleheader against Dayton beginning at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sparks, Gwen (6-5)
L: Brown, Madison (6-3)
Batting:
2B: Reese, Mackenzie 1
HR: Helton, Gracie 1
RBI: Reese, Mackenzie 1 ; Helton, Gracie 1
SH: Ball, Alena 1 ; Vaughn, Tieley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ball, Alena 1 ; Vaughn, Tieley 1 ; Toczek, Addison 1 ; Helton, Gracie 1 ; Meer, Sofia 1
SB: Ball, Alena 1 ; Reese, Mackenzie 1 ; Braden, Ahmari 1
HBP: Esparza, KK 1
PO: Reese, Mackenzie 1
Batting:
2B: Rudd, Aglaia 1 ; Hare, Alivia 1 ; Thompson, Erynn 1
RBI: Facher, Eloise 1 ; Poulich, Courtney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jardine, Katlyn 1 ; Thompson, Erynn 1
