University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Minnesota
O'Connell Earns Seven-Inning Shutout
2/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 19, 2010
BOCA RATON, Fla.—Junior Alyssa O’Connell recorded her first-ever seven-inning shutout, as Pitt’s softball team opened its 2010 season with a 2-0 victory over Minnesota in the first game of the Florida Atlantic Invitational.
O’Connell (Turnersville, N.J/Camden Catholic) recorded three strikeouts in the win. In the first two innings, she gave up three early hits, but all were left stranded on base. After the early threat, she gave just up one hit the rest of the game.
The Panthers got on the board early when second baseman Kristen Cheesebrew (Chesapeake Va./Great Bridge) was walked with base loaded. Right fielder Yvette Bravo (Downey, Calif./Warren) tallied the winning run after recorded a walk of her own as the lead-off hitter.
The Panthers tacked on their second run in the sixth when catcher Holly Stevens (San Pedro Calif./San Pedro) tallied her first-career home run.
The Panthers also received a stellar defensive effort from first baseman Ciera Damon (Ellwood City/Lincoln), who recorded 13 putouts.
Pitt recorded its first season-opening victory since the 2008 season when they defeated Texas Arlington, 3-1.
The Panthers played Mississippi in their second game of the day at 1 p.m.
