Recapping the 2016 Pitt Softball Season

PITTSBURGH - For the second consecutive season, the University of Pittsburgh softball team eclipsed the 30-win mark and earned a trip to the ACC tournament. In doing so, Pitt achieved back-to-back 30-win seasons for the first time in program history.

The Panthers finished the 2016 season with a 31-21 overall record, including an 8-14 mark in conference play. After earning an eight seed in the ACC tournament, Pitt fell to the top-seed and eventual conference champion Florida State Seminoles, 8-0.

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

Despite having a tough season, the Panthers proved themselves to be one of the best offensive teams in the country, sitting near the top of the national rankings in several offensive categories.

Pitt concluded the 2016 season fifth in the nation with 1.44 home runs per game and seventh with a team slugging percentage of .546. The Panthers also ranked in the top 25 in on-base percentage (21^st, .413), scoring (24^th, 6.29 runs per game), and doubles (24th, 1.60 per game), while finishing in the top 40 in batting average (36th, .317).

In ACC play, Pitt led the league in slugging percentage and home runs (75).

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS

In her final season as a Panthers, Maggie Sevilla cemented her place in the record books, finishing in the top five of six Pitt career batting categories. The San Diego, Calif., native now ranks first all-time in career at-bats (675) and second in hits (212), runs (145), home runs (33), and RBIs (126). Sevilla also is tied for fifth with 34 career doubles.

Sophomore Giorgiana Zeremenko also made her way into the record books in 2016, breaking the single season home run record with 17 round-trippers. In addition to dingers, Zeremenko led the Panthers with a .392 average, 52 RBIs, and an .888 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh native proved to be one of the top hitters in the conference, leading the ACC in slugging percentage and ranking fourth in home runs. Nationally, she finished seventh in slugging percentage, 11th in home runs per game (0.34) and 16th in total home runs.

Freshman pitcher Sarah Dawson tossed the school's first perfect game in program history on February 27 in a five-inning, 13-0 win over Providence at the Stetson Invitational. Dawson retired 15 straight batters with the help of her defense in the field. The Bridgewater, Mass., native earned weekly ACC honors as she was named co-pitcher of the week for her perfect game. The last time the Panthers came close to seeing a perfectly thrown game was in 2011 when former pitcher Cory Berliner hurled a no-hitter against Seton Hall. Berliner's bid for a perfect game fell short by two batters.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Three members of the University of Pittsburgh softball team were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Mid-Atlantic All-Region selections. Sevilla and Zeremenko were second-team honorees, while sophomore McKayla Taylor was a third-team selection.

Sophomore Erin Hershman, senior Jenna Modic and Sevilla were named All-ACC performers for 2016. Hershman was named to the first team, while Modic and Sevilla were second team honorees.

Hershman, freshman Olivia Gray, and Sevilla were honored for their efforts off the field as they were named to the 2016 softball All-ACC Academic Team.

SAYING GOODBYE

Pitt's 2016 senior class leaves the program with an overall record of 102-101, including a 68-43 record over its final two seasons. Modic, Sevilla, Shelby Pickett, Morgan Choe, Kathryn Duran, and Ashlee Sills all contributed to the most successful team in Pitt softball history, making the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015.

RETURNING FOR MORE

The Panthers will return ten players from this year's roster next season, with first baseman Kaitlin Manuel serving as the only rising senior. The team will count on a talented class of returning juniors comprised of Zeremenko, Taylor, Hershman, and Kayla Harris to help lead the way in 2017. Gray, Dawson, Alexis Solak, Marissa DeMatteo, and Taylor Myers will see their roles increase for their sophomore campaigns.

WELCOME TO PITT

Pitt will add six newcomers for the 2017 season, as Hannah Edwards, Alexee Haynes, Brittany Knight, Kaitlyn Kruger, Connor McGaffic and Valerie Ortega make up this year's class of freshmen signees.

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