University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Softball Opens Fall Ball Season
9/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 12, 2008
PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh softball team officially opened its fall ball season on Tuesday, Sept. 2. The six-week fall season runs through the second week of October and includes three scheduled tournaments.
The first tournament on the schedule is slated for Sept. 21 at Robert Morris against Mercyhurst (2 p.m.) and the host Colonials (4 p.m.). Pitt then heads to Kent State on Sept. 28 to face Kent State (10 a.m.) and Bowling Green (noon), before heading back to Robert Morris on Oct. 5. In the final tournament, Pitt meets Youngstown State (noon) and the Colonials (4 p.m.).
The Panthers return nine players from the 2008 squad and welcomes an exciting freshmen class of 10 players. Among the experienced players is senior catcher Samantha Card (Miami, Fla./Our Lady of Lourdes/Florida International), junior pitcher Kayla Zinger (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) and sophomore pitcher Cory Berliner (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain)). Card was a first team All-Big East selection, while Zinger claimed third team honors and Berliner holds the current single-season pitching record.
Pitt looks to build upon its 2008 season, where it finished 33-25. Making their third consecutive trip to the Big East Championship, the Panthers defeated several nationally ranked teams last year and look to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
