Pitt
23-12, 0
NC State
17-20, 0
Panthers Take Series from Wolfpack with 3-0 Win
4/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
RALEIGH, N.C. - The University of Pittsburgh softball team shutout NC State 3-0 in the final matchup Sunday afternoon at Dail Softball Stadium to take the series 2-1.
“We just kept battling,” said head coach Holly Aprile. “The first loss was disappointing but we worked to not let it get us down mentally. We stayed confident, made some great plays and came up with a couple of big hits that got our offense going in the last two games. We also had two really good pitching performances after a bit of a struggle in the first game.”
The Panthers move to 23-12 on the season and are now 5-7 in ACC play, while NC State falls to 17-20 overall and are 3-6 in the ACC.
Pitt posted all three of its runs in the fourth inning, as two came around on a pair of hits and the third on a bases-loaded passed ball.
The Panthers produced just four hits in the game. Sophomore Erin Hershman posted two for Pitt, while redshirt senior Shelby Pickett and freshman Olivia Gray each had one.
Junior Kaitlin Manuel and senior Kathryn Duran each earned a single RBI for the Panthers.
On the mound, senior Jenna Modic and sophomore Kayla Harris combined to shut out the Wolfpack. Modic started for Pitt and left NC State hitless through three innings before being relieved by Harris in the fourth. Harris posted a solid effort in relief, striking out three and walking just a single batter.
Harris finished the weekend with 11 strikeouts and a 2.10 ERA. Modic put away eight batters and posted a 2.80 ERA.
Pitt 3, NC State 0
• It took just one inning for Pitt to defeat NC State and take the series, as the Panthers put up all three of its runs in the fourth to win 3-0.
• Pitt played solid defense in the field and had outstanding pitching on the mound as Modic and Harris held the Wolfpack hitless until the fourth inning and gave up just three total hits.
• In the top of the fourth inning, with one away, back-to-back hits by Gray and Hershman set up runners on second and third for Duran. Duran dropped down a perfect bunt, allowing Gray to score and Hershman to reach third on the play. With runners on first and third as Duran was safe on the previous play, Manuel hit a high fly ball into foul territory to score Hershman who tagged up. Pitt loaded the bases after a walk and a throwing error by the NC State short stop, setting up Duran to score. The senior crossed the plate on a passed ball to give the Panthers their third run and a 3-0 advantage.
• Pitt's defense held up in the final two innings as NC State left runners stranded in two of the final three innings of play.
Up Next
• Pitt will return home on Wednesday, April 6 to take on non-conference foe Bucknell. First pitch of the series is slated for 3 p.m.
#H2P
• For all things Pitt softball, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Harris, Kayla (13-8)
L: Mirabella (11-11)
Batting:
2B: Hershman, Erin 1
RBI: Duran, Kathryn 1 ; Manuel, Kaitlin 1
SH: Duran, Kathryn 1
SF: Manuel, Kaitlin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gray, Olivia 1 ; Hershman, Erin 1 ; Duran, Kathryn 1
SB: Gray, Olivia 1 ; Hershman, Erin 1
Base Running:
SB: Ross 1
PO: Hawkins M. 1
