University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Fairfield
Stevens and Cheesebrew Earn All-Tournament Honors
2/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 28, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Just one day after suffering an 11-inning loss to Fairfield, freshman Holly Stevens and sophomore Kristen Cheesebrew earned All-Tar Heel Invitational honors, as Pitt’s softball team rebounded with a five-inning, 14-1 victory in its final game of the tournament, held at Anderson Stadium. The Panthers improved to 3-6 with the win, while the Stags slipped to 1-3 on the year.
Stevens went 4-for-4 with five RBI and three runs in the game. Her five RBI is a first since Lisa McGregor drove in five runs against Villanova in 2006. On the weekend, Stevens tallied a .385 batting average, scored four runs, drove in six runs and smacked both a double and a home run.
Cheesebrew was 2-for-3 with three runs in the contest. Her weekend totals include a .538 batting average (7-for-13), five runs, three stolen bases, one homer, a RBI and a .769 slugging percentage.
The Panthers got all the offense they needed in the first inning, scoring four runs off four hits. It all began with a RBI single to the outfield from Stevens. Next, senior Megan Livesey drove in two runs with a single of her own. Livesey would then score the final run of the inning thanks to sophomore Yvette Bravo’s first double of the season.
Stevens earned another RBI in the second inning when she singled to left field, allowing Cheesebrew to run home.
Later in the six-run, fourth inning, Stevens doubled to left field driving in another run and forcing a Fairfield pitching change. The next three Panther scores came as a result of the bases being juiced, while sophomore Niki Cognigni and freshman Krista Rodgers were hit by a pitch and catcher’s interference was called for Bravo.
Finally, sophomore Jessica Rhodunda smacked a two-RBI single to right center field.
In the last frame of action, Stevens blasted her third home run of the season, driving in two runs and forcing another pitching change. Then, sophomore Amanda Heitmeier posted the final run of the day for Pitt, off an infield error.
Junior Cory Berliner (1-2) pitched a three-hitter, facing 19 batters in five innings of work. Fairfield’s lone run came off an infield error that was followed by a stolen base and a two-out single.
Pitt travels to Morehead, Ky. next, as it will compete in the Morehead State Invitational on Saturday, March 6, and Sunday, March 7.
