Softball Drops Second Doubleheader To Notre Dame

Sunday, April 9

Pittsburgh, PA

2:00 PM

Pitt

Notre Dame

Softball Drops Second Doubleheader To Notre Dame

4/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball

April 9, 2006

Box Score

PITTSBURGH-Pitt's three-run fifth inning falls short, as the University of Pittsburgh softball team drops its doubleheader to Notre Dame with a 14-4 loss in game two. The Panthers fall to 24-17 on the season and 7-5 in the Big East.

The Panthers scored a lone run in the first inning to get started. Junior Heather Connor (Reading, Pa./Muhlenburg) found a shallow spot between left and center field and sent senior Francesca DiMaria (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour) in for the Panthers first run of the game. Pitt trailed 4-1 after one inning of action, since the Fighting Irish put up four runs to open the game.

In the third inning, DiMaria reached base after singling to an open spot just behind the third baseman's reach. DiMaria battled through about 12 pitches before earning the hit. Junior Joey Scarf (Humble, Texas/Humble), then, hit an infield single and stole second to place both runners in scoring position with one batter already retired. However, DiMaria and Scarf were left stranded two strikeouts later.

In the top of the fifth, Notre Dame scored two runs off two hits to take an 8-1 advantage. Pitt answered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the inning.

Sophomore Mary Hecker (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) recorded lead-off single past first and into right field. Next, DiMaria beat out the toss to first and moved Hecker to second. Scarf's double down the line scored Hecker, while DiMaria scored on sophomore Jessica Dignon's (Pittsburgh, Pa,/Baldwin) sacrifice ground ball. Junior Sheena Hellon (Sacramento, Calif./Cordova) plated the final run with a hard shot up the middle, allowing Scarf to score.

In the game, Dignon recorded three putouts and six assists, including a play in the second inning where she made a diving catch on a bouncy ball to throw out the runner at first.

Junior Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) took the loss for the Panthers, while senior Christa Hunter (Sacramento, Calif./Harim Johnson West) pitched the final three outs of the game.

Pitt travels to St. Francis (Pa.) on Wednesday, April 12, for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.