Panthers Sweep on Day One of San Diego Classic

Friday, March 4

San Diego, Calif.

12:00 PM

Pitt

12-4

Utah Valley

4-13

Pitt

Utah Valley

Panthers Sweep on Day One of San Diego Classic

3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

March 4, 2016

Game One Box | Game Two Box | Season Stats

SAN DIEGO – The University of Pittsburgh softball team swept on day one of the San Diego Classic, defeating Utah Valley and Portland State at USD Softball Complex. 

In game one, the Panthers [13-4] trailed Utah Valley [4-14] 3-0 through five innings of play but fought their way back to score four runs in the fourth to remain in the win column. Game two was another close matchup as Pitt only pushed one run across vs. Portland State [4-12] to finish 2-0 on the day.

Senior Maggie Sevilla and sophomore Erin Hershman led the Panthers offensively with three hits apiece, both in six at-bats. Hershman added a double and two RBIs on the day.

On the mound, freshman Sarah Dawson picked up two wins to move to 6-0 on the season, while sophomore Kayla Harris earned two saves on the day.

PITT 4, UTAH VALLEY 3
• Trailing 3-0 at the end of five innings of play, the Panthers returned to the plate in the sixth to score four runs on four hits to come back and defeat the Wolverines 4-3.
• Dawson goes on record as the winning pitcher and is now 5-0 on the season. Harris, who entered for Dawson in the middle of the sixth, earns her first save of the season.
• Utah Valley posted its first run of the game in the second inning, as pinch runner Kendall Ohman rushed home on a wild pitch by senior pitcher Jenna Modic and slid in safely.
• The Wolverines scored in back-to-back innings, posting their final two runs in the bottom of the third. Utah Valley’s leadoff hitter singled up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Wolverines laid down another bunt which Pitt was unable to field for the out putting runners on the corners. The runner on first moved to second after a ground out, which set up a two-run single for Utah Valley. The Panthers trailed 3-0, at the conclusion of the inning.
• It wasn’t until the sixth inning that Pitt’s bats began to heat up. Modic led off for Pitt with a walk, while sophomore Giorgiana Zeremenko followed up with a single to center. Senior Morgan Choe, who pinch ran for Modic, scored the Panthers first run on a double to left by junior Kaitlin Manuel. With two runners still on base, Hershman brought both around to tie the game at 3-3. Hershman scored the winning run as she advanced on a squeeze play in which freshman Alexis Solak laid down the perfect bunt that allowed her to beat the throw home. At the end of the top of the sixth, Pitt led 4-3.
• Harris entered in the bottom of the sixth for Dawson, and held the Wolverines for the remainder of the game to earn the save.

PITT 1, PORTLAND STATE 0
• The Panthers continued its winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Portland State.
• Just like game one, Dawson earned the win while Harris picked up the save.
• After three scoreless innings of play, Pitt posted the lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. The inning started with a single by Sevilla, who also stole second base to move into scoring position. With two outs, Hershman laid a bunt down the third base line which was picked up by the third baseman but it was too late as the sophomore beat the throw to first. On the play, the second baseman who was covering the bag, let the ball get away from her on the throw, allowing Sevilla to then advance home.
• Both teams were unable to score the remainder of the game. Harris held the Vikings in the final two innings of play.

UP NEXT
Pitt will continue play at the San Diego Classic I Saturday as the Panthers take on Grand Canyon and host San Diego at Noon EST and 5 p.m. EST, respectively.

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