Pitt’s Offense Powers its way to 7-3 Victory over North Carolina

Friday, February 28

Chapel Hill, NC

5 p.m.

Pitt

6-7, 1-0

North Carolina

6-11, 0-1

Pittsburgh

North Carolina

Photo by: Nick Allen

Pitt’s Offense Powers its way to 7-3 Victory over North Carolina

2/28/2020 9:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

CHAPEL HILL – The Pitt softball team hit two home runs and totaled six extra base hits in a 7-3 victory over North Carolina in the ACC opener for both teams Friday night.

Sophomore Katlyn Pavlick took no time to produce offense for Pitt (6-7, 1-0 ACC), hitting the first pitch of the game over the left field wall for a solo home run. The homer was the first home run to lead off an inning for Pitt since Olivia Gray did so on April 13, 2019.

North Carolina (6-11, 0-1) tied the game at one in the bottom of the second with a single up the middle. The Panthers quickly answered, as senior Alexee Haynes singled to right field, scoring junior Hunter Levesque for a 2-1 lead. Senior Walker Barbee extended the lead to 4-1 after a two-run home run to left.

The Tar Heels threatened the Panther lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs off of five hits. Freshman Hope Alley recorded the last out of the frame and the Panthers entered the sixth up one, 4-3.

KP talks the game plan of attacking pitches and keeping the momentum going for tomorrow ??#H2P pic.twitter.com/Qtncze47Or
— Pitt Softball (@Pitt_SB) February 29, 2020

After a scoreless sixth, Pavlick again hit for power, this time narrowly missing a home run to right field and earning a triple. Pavlick's hit bounced off the top of the wall and back into play, scoring junior LoLo Sanchez to make it a 5-3 contest. After a sac fly from senior Connor McGaffic drove in Pavlick (6-3), Haynes tripled to left center, scoring a run and extending the Pitt lead, 7-3.

Senior Brittany Knight and the Panther defense shut down the Tar Heels in the seventh, securing the victory. Knight pitched a complete game, giving up nine hits, three earned runs and striking out three for her fifth win of the season.

Coach Herm after tonight's 7-3 ACC victory over UNC.#H2P pic.twitter.com/sBjAksvYF7
— Pitt Softball (@Pitt_SB) February 29, 2020

Barbee, Haynes and Pavlick each tallied two RBIs, while McGaffic had one. Haynes tied a career high with three hits, while Pavlick went 2-for-4 with two runs. Levesque finished 1-for-3 with two runs, a walk and a double. The win marks the first time since 2015 the Panthers begin ACC play 1-0.

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