March 23, 2006
Box Score
PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh softball team earned the sweep against Youngstown State with a 2-1 victory in game two of this afternoon's doubleheader against the Penguins. The Panthers defeated YSU in the Buckeye Invitational earlier this year and improve to 14-11 on the year.
Sophomore Valerie Mihalik (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) scored the go-ahead run in the fifth after tagging on a sacrifice fly out to center field by senior Francesca DiMaria (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour).
The Panthers etched the first run of the game on the board in the fourth inning with a shot to left field from senior Christa Hunter (Sacramento, Calif./Harim Johnson West) that sent sophomore Jessica Dignon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) home.
Junior Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) pitched a shutout until the sixth inning when Jamie Fornal recorded a home run for Youngstown State. Belardinelli (6-4) worked all seven innings, allowing six hits.
Pitt opens Big East action on Saturday, March 25 when they host St. John's in a doubleheader at noon and then Seton Hall at noon on Sunday, March 26.
Score by Innings R H E
Youngstown State 000 001 0 - 1 6 2
Pittsburgh 000 110 X - 2 3 1
