Softball Faces Notre Dame On ESPNU On Wednesday
5/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 3, 2011
PITTSBURGH—For the first time in program history the University of Pittsburgh softball team will be featured in a national television broadcast, as the Panthers travel to Notre Dame on Wednesday, May 4 for a doubleheader. The Panthers and Fighting Irish are slated for a 4 p.m. start that will be televised on ESPNU.
Pitt enters the week on a seven-game win streak. With 31 overall wins on the year and 10 victories in Big East action, the Panthers look to set the program record for wins. Pitt is one victory shy of the current school record of 32 victories set in 2006 and two conference wins shy of the 12 recorded in 2008. This is just the third time in program history that Pitt has registered a 30-plus overall record and 10-plus wins in Big East play.
Junior Kelly Hmiel leads the Big East with 15 home runs and is among the top three in slugging percentage (.815), RBI (50), total bases (106) and assists (111).
Due to the league moving to three-game series last year, the Pitt and Notre Dame did not meet in the 2010 season. However, in the two years prior each team walked away with a split. In 2008, the Panthers earned their first-ever victory over Notre Dame with a 4-2 decision. Then in 2009, the Panthers earned a 5-2 win in the first game of the doubleheader thanks to a three-run double by senior outfielder Reba Tutt.
Wednesday’s games mark the 25th and 26th meetings between the programs.