Panthers Fall to Virginia Tech in Series Finale, 12-9

Sunday, March 13

Blacksburg, Va.

12:00 PM

Pitt

16-8, 0-3

Virginia Tech

9-14, 4-2

Pitt

Virginia Tech

Panthers Fall to Virginia Tech in Series Finale, 12-9

3/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 13, 2016

Game One Box | Season Stats | Conference Stats

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The University of Pittsburgh softball team dropped its final game of the series to Virginia Tech, 12-9, in six innings of play at Tech Softball Park on Sunday. The game was called following the sixth inning, due to inclement weather with created unplayable field conditions.

The Panthers [16-8, 0-3 ACC] led after the first inning of play and following the top of the fourth, but were unable to hold on as the Hokies [9-14, 4-2 ACC] scored five additional runs in the final innings of play.

Seven different Pitt players recorded hits in today’s game, including redshirt seniors Shelby Pickett and Maggie Sevilla, senior Jenna Modic, junior Kaitlin Manuel, sophomores McKayla Taylor and Erin Hershman and freshman Olivia Gray.

Sevilla, who homered in the first inning of the game, scored twice in the game along with Taylor.

On the mound, sophomore Kayla Harris gave up eight runs, four unearned, in 4.2 innings pitched, while striking out four batters. Harris entered the game in relief of Modic who gave up the first four runs to Virginia Tech.

Pitt 9, Virginia Tech 12

• In a back-and-forth game, Pitt dropped a tough decision to Virginia Tech 12-9, in six innings of play.

• The Panthers came out swinging in the first inning, scoring five runs on four hits. Sevilla recorded Pitt’s first hit and run of the day, as she hit a solo shot just over the left field wall. The Panthers’ next batter, Taylor, was hit by a pitch and was joined on the bases by Modic who singled to right field. Taylor advanced to third on the single and continued home on a wild pitch for Pitt’s second run. Zeremenko was issued a walk in the next-at back to put two on for Hershman, who doubled to left field. Modic scored on the hit, making it 3-0 Pitt, while Zeremenko advanced to third. Freshman Marissa DeMatteo came into run for Zeremenko and scored on a passed ball to increase the Panthers’ lead to 4-0. Pitt’s final run of the inning scored on a Manuel single through the right side.

• The Hokies scored two runs in the bottom of the first to cut the Panthers’ lead to 5-2. Modic was the pitcher on the mound for Pitt as she came in for Harris before the inning began. Following a walk and double, Modic gave up a single and sac fly which brought around both base runners.

• The Panthers were held scoreless in the top of the second but ended the inning still leading by a run after Virginia Tech posted two in the bottom half of the frame. The first run scored on a bases-loaded walk, while the second came around on a single to right field.

• The Hokies defense retired Pitt in order in the top of the third, before scoring three runs in the bottom half to take their first lead of the game, 7-5. With one away, Modic gave up two walks to put runners on. Back-to-back singles brought around three Tech baserunners.

• The Panthers were back out in front after the top of the fourth inning, as they scored four runs on three hits and an error. With two outs and a runner on second, Pickett hit a ball to center that dropped in for a single, allowing Gray to advance home. A Sevilla walk put runners on first and second for Taylor, who hit a single to center. Pickett crossed the plate on the hit, while Sevilla advanced home on a throwing error by the Virginia Tech short stop. The final run of the half inning was tallied as Taylor rushed home on a passed ball. At this point, Pitt led Virginia Tech 9-7.

• The Hokies took the lead and held onto it after a four-run frame in the bottom of the fourth. Three consecutive singles was how the inning began for Virginia Tech, which set up Kaitlin Mericka’s bases-clearing double. On the play, a bobble by Hershman in the outfield allowed the third run to come home and Mericka to advance to third. Whitney Saunders, who pinch ran for Merikca, scored on the final play of the inning to give the Hokies an 11-9 lead.

• Virginia Tech tallied its last run in the sixth, before the game came to a close due to the rain.

Up Next

• Pitt will welcome North Carolina to Vartabedian Field next weekend for its ACC home opener. The Panthers will begin on Saturday, March 19 with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The series will come to a close on Sunday, March 20 with the final game slated to begin at Noon.

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