Sept. 27, 2006
KENT, OH--Senior Sheena Hellon homered in Pitt's shutout over Akron in the final game of the Kent State Invitational. The Panthers returned with a 4-1 record after two days of competition.
In three innings of relief, sophomore Kaitlyn Schuster (Ellwood City, Pa./Lincoln) allowed just one hit to secure a 9-0 win over Akron.
In that same game, Hellon (Sacramento, Calif./Cordova) was 3-for-4, including two triples and a homerun, while sophomore Samantha Card (Miami, Fla./Our Lady of Lourdes/Florida International) was 1-for-3 at the plate.
Hellon finished the 2006 season with six homers, including the bomb that gave Pitt the go-ahead run in its win over, then, nationally-ranked South Florida during the Big East Championships.
In the first game of the day, the Panthers fell 3-2 to host, Kent State in eight innings despite a strong showing from freshman pitcher Kayla Zinger (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope).
Zinger struck out seven batters and allowed just six hits in her second complete game of the tournament. Junior Mary Hecker (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) drove in both runs for Pitt with a single to right field.
Card led the team from the plate, hitting 7-for-15 and posted a .467 batting average on the weekend. Schuster threw a total of eight innings in relief and gave up just four hits, while Zinger pitched two complete games, fanning 11 batters and allowing nine hits.
The Panthers make a short trip to Moon, Pa. on Oct. 6 for the Robert Morris Invitational. Pitt faces Cal U. of Pa., Robert Morris and Gannon, with the chance for three more games.