Sept. 27, 2006
KENT, OH--Pitt's softball team opened its fall ball schedule in the Kent State Invitational and recorded a 3-0 record in the first day of competition this past weekend. Newcomer Samantha Card and senior Sheena Hellon had a very good day for the Panthers.
In its first game of `fall ball,' Pitt defeated Gannon, 4-3 in the opening round game. Senior Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) and sophomore Kaitlyn Schuster (Ellwood City, Pa./Lincoln) combined to earn the win from the mound. Belardinlli got the start and gave up four hits in four innings of action. Schuster came in for relief in three innings and gave up three hits.
Sophomore Card (Miami, Fla./Our Lady of Lourdes/Florida International) went 2-for-2 in the game with a single and a double, while being walked once. Freshman Alex Shoemaker (Hampton, Va./Grafton) also made a debut with a stolen base and one hit in the contest.
The Panthers next defeated Cleveland State, 1-0. Freshman Kayla Zinger (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) picked up the win for Pitt, giving up three hits and fanning four batters in her first action with the Panthers. Card was 1-for-2 with a double and recorded the game-winning hit, while senior Joey Scarf (Humble, TX/Humble) garnered a double in the game.
Hellon (Sacramento, Calif./Cordova) tallied a singe and a double in the Panther's third win of the day, as they dropped Toledo, 3-2, in eight innings. Card went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double, recording her second game-winning hit. A perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, junior Valerie Mihalik (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) recorded two stolen bases. Schuster pitched a shutout in the final two innings to hold onto the win.
The Panthers face Kent State and Akron in the final day of the Kent State Invitational.