Pitt
Providence
Softball Earns Split Against Providence
4/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 19, 2009
PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Freshman Jessica Rhodunda recorded her first-career homerun, as the University of Pittsburgh softball team garnered the split in this afternoon’s doubleheader against Providence, winning game two, 8-4, at Raymond Field. Pitt improved to 21-22 on the year and 7-13 in the Big East, while the Friars slipped to 14-29 overall and 6-9 in the league.
Rhodunda posted the eventual winning run of the game in the sixth, as she sent her first homer of the season over the right center field wall. She became the ninth Panther to do-so this year and blasted the 21st long ball of the year for Pitt. The Panthers led 5-4 after six frames.
Pitt began scoring after the Panthers gave up two runs in the previous inning, answering with two runs of its own in the fourth after sophomore Reba Tutt drove in two with a base hit. Tutt boasts 15 RBI on the year.
Later in the fifth, freshman Kristen Cheesebrew gave the Panthers a short-lived 4-2 lead off a single that scored senior Sam Card and sophomore Ashley Amistade on the play. Both Card and Amistade were walked in the inning.
Cheesebrew drove in another run in the seventh after she doubled though the middle, scoring Card. Freshman Niki Cognigni followed two batters later with another double to score Cheesebrew and junior Megan Livesey. Livesey was pinch running for freshman Amanda Heitmeier, who was walked.
Pitt fell behind early in the contest after Providence ended the scoreless game with two runs in the third inning, off four hits. With the bases loaded and just one out on the board, freshmen Ciera Damon and Cheesebrew caught fly balls to retire the next three scoring threats in that inning.
The Friars would score again in the fifth, as a one-base hit drove in a run. A batter later a walk with bases loaded tallied the other Providence score.
Senior Kaitlyn Schuster recorded her first win of the season after entering the game in the fifth inning and giving up just three hits. Schuster also struck out five in the contest.
Card was 1-for-2 with two runs, while Cheesebrew hit 2-for-4 with one run and three RBI.
Pitt has a bye week due to finals and will resume play on Wednesday, April 29, hosting Youngstown State in a doubleheader at 3 p.m.
