Softball Earns First Win

Feb. 11, 2006

BOCA RATON, Fla.-Wild pitches aid the University of Pittsburgh softball team, as it garnered its first win of the season this evening with a 2-1 victory over Florida Atlantic. Pitt improves to 1-3 on the year, while FAU slipped to 1-2.

Senior co-captain Francesca DiMaria (Pittsburgh, PA/Montour) tied the ball game at 1-1 in the fifth inning. DiMaria hit a leadoff single up the middle to advance to base. After and error by the Owls' third baseman, DiMaria earned two more bases. Florida Atlantic then replaced pitchers and Kathryn Stauffer's wild pitch sent DiMaria in for the score.

Then in the sixth inning, it was DiMaria's double to right-center that sent junior short stop Sheena Hellon (Sacramento, CA/Cordova) in for the go-ahead run. Hellon opened the sixth with a single.

Senior Christa Hunter (Sacramento, CA/Hiram Johnson West) (1-0) earned the win after allowing just three hits and one run in the ball game. Hunter also recorded three strikeouts.

FAU got on the board in the first, after Amy Bukovick hit a double to right-center with a leadoff-walk on base.

Sophomore Mary Hecker (Roseville, CA/Roseville) tallied 11 putouts, while DiMaria assisted on six.

Pitt's final game relies on the result of the FAU/SC game wrapping up later tonight. Pitt will either play in the 9 or 11 a.m. consolation game tomorrow, Feb. 12.