Panthers Head to Miami for FIU Panther Invitational

Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
at FIU Panther Invitational
Felsberg Field at FIU Stadium | Miami, FL
Feb. 17-19, 2023

LIVE STATS | WATCH (Feb. 17 - 5:30 p.m vs. FIU only) | @Pitt_SB

LEADING OFF

Pitt softball continues its 2023 season at the FIU Panther Invitational in Miami, Fla., Feb. 17-19. The Panthers will face off against [rv/23] Missouri, Florida International, and Butler.
The weekend trip is the second consecutive week the Panthers travel to the sunshine state after opening their season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, Feb. 10-12.
Pitt will open play with a double-header against Missouri (Feb. 17 - 3 p.m.) and FIU (Feb. 17 - 5:30 p.m.). Saturday will kick off with a matchup against Butler (Feb. 18 - 10 a.m.) and followed with a game at either 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m, depending on tournament seeding. The tournament will conclude on Sunday with Pitt playing either Missouri at 9:30 a.m. or FIU at 12:30 p.m.
Pitt enters the tournament after finishing opening weekend with a 3-1 record, earning wins against Prairie View A&M, No. 21 Auburn, and Fordham. The three wins marked the best four-game start to the season since also going 3-1 to begin 2018.
In their first all-time meeting, Pitt defeated No. 21 Auburn, 8-7. The win over the Tigers marked the Panthers' first non-conference win over a top 25 opponent since 2017. It was also the first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 3 Florida State, 7-5, last season.
Pitt and Missouri both competed at the NFCA Leadoff Classic but did not face each other over the three-day tournament.
Pitt begins their season with six-straight trips on the road. The Panthers travel to Clearwater, Fla.; Miami, Fla.; Houston, Texas; Huntingdon, W. Va., and Memphis, Tenn. Pitt will open ACC play and conclude its road stint at Louisville March 17-19.

OFF TO A HOT START

Sarah Seamans started the season off with a bang, batting .500 (6-for-12) with a home run, four runs scored, two RBI and three walks and four stolen bases, including going 3-for-4 in the Panthers' win over No. 21 Auburn.
Seamans was named to the NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament team after starting all four games for the Panthers.
Bailey Drapola is second on the team with a .444 (4-for-9) batting average, three runs scored and three RBI. Drapola stole a career-high four bases in the Panthers' 5-0 shutout win over Prairie View. Drapola ranks second in stolen bases (5) and ninth in on-base percentage (.643) in the ACC after the opening week.
Dani Drogemuller led the Panthers to a 7-3 win over Fordham, tossing a 7.0 complete game with 10 strikeouts. The outing marked the eighth 10+ strikeout game of her career. Drogemuller is ranks fourth in strikeouts (18) and ninth in innings pitched (13.1) among ACC pitchers after the opening weekend.
After sitting out last season due to the NCAA transfer rules, Kat Rodriguez finished her first weekend in a Panthers' uniform, batting .250 (3-for-12). Rodriguez's three hits have gone for doubles and is currently on a three-game hit streak. Rodriguez ranks fifth in the ACC with three doubles during the opening week of play.
Kayla Lane had a strong opening weekend, going 3-for-10 with a double, four runs scored, and two stolen bases.