Softball Drops Big East Doubleheader To Syracuse

4/30/2004

The Panthers fell to the Orangewomen 8-7 in game one and 6-5 in nine innings in game two.

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-The University of Pittsburgh lost two close Big East games Friday afternoon to Syracuse, 8-7 in game one and 6-5 in game two.

In game one, the Orangewomen were on the board first, taking an early 1-0 lead after the first inning of play. Pittsburgh (20-31, Big East 3-11) would answer back in the second as Beth Gill (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) connected on a RBI double down the left field line to tie the score at one.  Francesca DiMaria (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour) recorded two of her four RBIs on the day as she singled and advanced to second on a throwing error allowing two runners to score. 

Syracuse posted a total of seven runs in the third and fourth inning before Pittsburgh would post two runs in the fifth, cutting the lead to three.  With two outs in the top of the ninth, Heather Connor (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) doubled to right field, sending two runners home to put Pittsburgh within one run.  The Panthers could not hold on as the next batter grounded out to end the game. 

On the mound, Meghan Bostick (Colleyville, Texas/Grapevine) allowed six hits for eight runs (four earned) while striking out three and walking two in 3.1 innings of work.  Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) pitched the final 2.2 innings and allowed two hits, while walking two.

In game two, Pittsburgh would post two runs in both the second and third innings. DiMaria collected her final two RBIs on a double in the third, her ninth double of the season.  Syracuse would post four runs in the four and fifth innings to tie the game and send it into extra innings. 

Lisa McGregor (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) sacrifice fly allowed Gill to score from third to give Pittsburgh a one run advantage in the ninth, but that was not enough as the Orangwomen answered back in their half of the ninth with a  two-run homer. 

On the mound, Belardinelli pitched the complete game allowing 10 hits for six runs (five earned) while striking out six and walking eight.

The Panthers are next in action as they travel to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in a Big East doubleheader Sunday, May 2 at 11 a.m.

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University of Pittsburgh Athletics

Softball Drops Big East Doubleheader To Syracuse

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