Pitt
Rutgers
Tutt Blasts Her Fourth Homer of the Season
5/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 2, 2009
PITTSBURGH—Sophomore Reba Tutt smacked a three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game, however Pitt’s softball team’s comeback fell short as it dropped a 6-5 contest in eight innings, splitting its doubleheader against Rutgers, at Trees Field. The Panthers slipped to 24-23 on the season and 8-14 in the Big East, while the Scarlet Knights improved to 22-31 overall and 5-7 in the league.
After going hitless in the game, Tutt hit a three-run bomb to left center, tying the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh. Tutt’s homerun was her fourth of the season and the eighth of her career. Additionally, she drove in her 18th, 19th and 20th runs of the season as junior Megan Livesey and Sara Falotico scored in the play. Livesey was on base after an infield Scarlet Knight error, while Falotico was pinch running for freshman Ciera Damon.
The first run of the inning was scored by freshman Niki Cognigni, who led off with a double and scored during Damon’s at-bat.
Tied at 5-5, Pitt was held hitless in the extra frame, while Rutgers earned the win with a run off one hit in the top of the inning.
Pitt opened the game giving up three runs in the first inning off five singles. Rutgers would then take a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning with a homer through centerfield.
The Panthers would answer in the bottom of the fifth when freshman Kristen Cheesebrew scored her 19th runs of the year. Cheesebrew led off the inning with a single and moved to second when Cognigni was walked. Cheesebrew then moved to third when freshman Amanda Heitmeier singled and scored off a sacrifice hit from Damon.
Rutgers then scored its fifth run in the top of the sixth with a double to right centerfield.
Sophomore Alyssa O’Connell (9-6) threw the loss for the Panthers, giving up five hits and three runs in seven innings.
The Panthers host USF on Sunday, May 3, in a doubleheader beginning at noon. Pitt will also honor its seniors Sam Card and Kaitlyn Schuster prior to the contest.
