Pitt Defeats Memphis, Falls to LSU to in Opening Weekend Finale

Saturday, February 10

Baton Rouge, LA

12 PM

Pitt

2-1

Memphis

0-3

Memphis

Pittsburgh

Pitt Defeats Memphis, Falls to LSU to in Opening Weekend Finale

2/10/2024 6:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

BATON ROUGE, La. – Pitt defeated Memphis, 6-4, and fell to No. 15 LSU, 7-0, during the final day of the LSU Invitational at Tiger Park, Saturday. The Panthers finished the 2024 Opening Weekend with a 2-2 record.

Pitt 6, Memphis 4
The Panthers scored three runs in the second inning to take an early lead over the Tigers. The Tigers got two quick outs in the second, but Desirae Martinez (2-for-3) and Ana Hernandez (1-for-3) answered by hitting back-to-back doubles to take a 1-0 lead with two outs. Jace Jackson reached on a fielding error that also scored Hernandez to put the Panthers up by two runs. Jackson picked up two stolen bases, swiping second and third before scoring on a bad throw for a 3-0 advantage.

Memphis got a run on the board after an Aaliyah Dixon triple to right center, but back-to-Back walks and a fielder's choice put the Panthers in scoring position once again in the third inning. Esparza and Martinez added insurance runs by each hitting an RBI-single to increase the lead 5-1 after three innings of play.

The Tigers held the Panthers scoreless through the next two innings and scored three runs in the fifth inning to make it a one-run ball game. Memphis took advantage of two walks and a hit by pitch to make the score 5-4 with two innings left to play.

Freshman Danni Farris came in relief with two outs in the top of the fifth and earned the save after pitching the final 2.1 innings. Farris allowed just three hits with two strikeouts against 11 batters faced.

Olivia Stefanoni earned the win after allowing just one earned run on three hits, striking out two batters and issuing two walks in 4.0 innings of work.

Pitt 0, LSU 7

The Tigers' bats came alive early as they scored two runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning. Pitt went on to hold LSU to just one run and four hits over the next four innings.

Pitt got in scoring position in the third inning when Kylie Griggs walked, and Kat Rodriguez hit a single on the line in shallow right field to put runners at the corners. The Panthers weren't able to drive in a run, as both runners were left stranded.

LSU increased their lead in bottom of the sixth inning, scoring four runs on three hits.

Kyra Pittman was credited with the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action Feb. 16-18 at the Kennesaw State Tournament. Pitt will open play against Ole Miss on Friday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m.