University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Add Five During Fall Signing Period
11/9/2023 10:06:00 AM | Softball
PITTSBURGH – First-year head coach Jenny Allard and the University of Pittsburgh softball staff signed Bekah Duck, Caitlin Esteves, Amaya Pitt, Mackenzie Reese and Gwen Sparks to national letters of intent during the fall signing period, Wednesday.
Duck, a two-time All-County left-handed pitcher out of Maryville High School is coming off a successful season for the Rebels. The Maryville, Tenn. native is a two-time All-County selection and is The Sports Page Softball Representative for 2023.
Esteves, an outfielder and catcher out of Diamond Bar High School, has compiled a .406 batting average over the past three seasons with 50 RBI and five runners caught stealing. Esteves plays for the 18U Snyder team and helped lead the team to a top-8 finish at the PGF nationals and to a top-3 Finish in the PGF shootout. Esteves also helped the team to a 6-0 finish at Kansas for Top Gun Invitational.
Pitt, an infielder from Viera High School in Viera, Fla., is a two-time SY Elite Slugger Award winner and helped lead the Hawks to the state semifinals in the 2022. Pitt primarily plays either shortstop or third base and plays for the Unity 18U National Betsa.
A local high school catcher from Hampton High School, Reese has batted .595 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and has struck out just five times in three seasons. The Allison Park, Pa. native earned First-Team All-Conference recognition and currently ranks in the top-15 for batting average in the WPIAL.
Sparks, a four-sport athlete out of Notre Dame High School, looks to bolster the Panthers pitching rotation. The 6-2 pitcher has totaled a 43-7 career record with a 1.01 ERA, 636 strikeouts and has thrown 17 no hitters and one perfect game. At the plate, Sparks holds a .348 career batting average with 12 home runs and 65 RBI. The Portsmouth, Ohio, native has been named the Southern Ohio Conference Pitcher of the Year for the past three consecutive seasons and the District Player of the Year for the last two seasons. Sparks garnered multiple accolades in two other sports, being named the Conference Swimmer of the Year for three consecutive seasons and earning All-District accolades in volleyball.
