University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Rutgers
Softball Earns a Big East Championship Berth
5/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 8, 2010
PISCATAWAY, N.J.—Pitt’s softball team earned a berth in the 2010 Big East Championships with its 10th conference win of the season, this afternoon, with a 2-1 victory over Rutgers at RU Softball Complex. The Panthers improved to 27-22 overall and 10-9 in the Big East, while the Scarlet Knights slipped to 22-30 on the season and 7-12 in the league.
Pitt earned its third berth in the Big East Championships in the past four seasons. First round action begins on Thursday, May 12, in Louisville, Ky. Seeding will be announced after Sunday’s games.
The Panthers got on the board in the first inning of today’s game, when sophomore Niki Cognigni scored an unearned run on junior Reba Tutt’s at-bat. Cognigni was on base following a left field error. She later moved to third with a single from freshman Holly Stevens.
Later, Tutt led off the sixth inning with a single to center field. She then stole second base and moved to third when sophomore Yvette Bravo singled. Tutt would then score the game-winning run during sophomore Kristen Cheesebrew’s at-bat.
Earlier in the game, Rutgers knotted the game at 1-1 with a solo homer in the fourth inning. Prior to that, junior Cory Berliner (13-8) had retired all 11 batters she faced. Berliner allowed just two hits in the contest, while striking out three batters.
The Panthers out-hit the Scarlet Knights, 5-2. Game three of the series is set for noon on Sunday.
