Feb. 24, 2006
Box Score
CONWAY, S.C.--Despite the University of Pittsburgh softball team's efforts to mount a comeback, the Panthers lose a 3-1 decision to Minnesota during the Myrtle Beach Chevy Chanticleer Classic, this afternoon. Pitt's record falls to 1-6 on the season, while the Golden Gophers improve to 3-6.
Pitt recorded its lone score of the game in the fourth. Junior Sheena Hellon (Sacramento, CA/Cordova) crossed home plate after sophomore Jessica Dignon (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin) singled up the middle.
Senior Francesca DiMaria (Pittsburgh, PA/Montour) gave the Panther another shot to score in the sixth inning as she earned a two-out walk. Dignon, next at bat, singled to first, while DiMaria advanced to third. DiMaria was left on base, however, after the following Panther struck out.
Minnesota got on the board first, as Megan Arns's single to left center drove in a runner, while Chrissy Sward singled to first for an RBI, giving the Golden Gophers a 2-0 advantage after two innings. With the bases loaded again, junior Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) got out of the inning by striking out the next batter.
Belardinelli (0-3) fanned two batters, while allowing three runs off four hits in the loss.
Later in the third, Minnesota's Megan Higginbotham hit a lead-off double and stole third before scoring off a one-out sacrifice fly. Sophomore Leanne McCarron (Norwood, PA/Interboro) caught Lisa Parks trying to steal second to close the inning.
Senior Christa Hunter (Sacramento, CA/Hiram Johnson West) entered the game in the fourth to pinch hit for classmate Lisa McGregor (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford), who was picked off earlier in the game. Hunter, then, took over the pitching duties in the bottom of the fourth. Faced with runners on second and third and no outs, Hunter controlled the inning by getting the next three batters to strikeout, foul out and ground out, respectively. Hunter finished the game with two strikeouts and allowed just one hit in three innings.
Pitt faces Coastal Carolina at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 25.
Score by Innings R H E
Pittsburgh 000 100 0 - 1 5 0
Minnesota 021 000 X - 3 5 0
