Hernandez Powers Pitt Past ETSU, Panthers Split Doubleheader

Friday, February 16

Kennesaw, GA

11 AM

Pitt

2-3

Ole Miss

5-1

Ole Miss

Pittsburgh

Hernandez Powers Pitt Past ETSU, Panthers Split Doubleheader

2/16/2024 4:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

KENNESAW, Ga. – Ana Hernandez hit her first career home run to give the Panthers the go-ahead and defeat East Tennessee State, 6-2, as the Panthers split the opening day of the Kennesaw State Tournament at Bailey Park.

Pitt is now 3-3 on the season after falling to Ole Miss, 11-0, and defeating East Tennessee State, 6-2.

Pitt 0, Ole Miss 11
Olivia Stefanoni had a strong start in the circle, striking out three of her first four batters faced. The lefty pitcher struck out the first two batters on seven pitches before giving up a single in the first inning. Stefanoni ended the inning with another strikeout on a 2-2 count.

Amanda "Tuta" Ramirez had the lone hit for the Panthers, hitting a single through the left side in the bottom of the second and extending her hitting streak to three games.

The Rebels put up big fourth and fifth innings to secure the run rule victory, scoring five runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth inning. The Rebels broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third, beginning with a bunt single from Jaden Pone and a double to center field from Paige Smith to take a 2-0 lead.

An Annie Orman double to left center and Angelina DeLeon was hit by a pitch to put the Rebels in scoring position in the fourth inning. Ole Miss took advantage of a wild pitch and then a throwing error to go up 3-0 with one out. Ole Miss scored four more runs off two singles and a hit by pitch to end the inning with a 7-0 lead.

Ole Miss started the top of the fifth with a double and a single to get two runners on base early. Freshman Danni Farris retired the next two batters, but the Panthers were unable to cool the Ole Miss bats' as they hit an RBI single and back-to-back RBI doubles to take the 11-0 lead.

Grace Sparks earned the win in the circle for Ole Miss and Olivia Stefanoni (1-1) recorded the loss.

Pitt 6, ETSU 2
The Panthers had a hot start to the second game of the doubleheader as Kat Rodriguez got on base after being hit by a pitch and stole second, eventually scoring on a Desirae Martinez sac fly to right field to even the score 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning.

Alena Ball drew a walk and Ana Hernandez hit her first-career homer, a two-run go-ahead home run to left field to give the Panthers a 3-2 edge.

Cami Compson hit a single to center field to spark the Panther bats with two outs in the bottom of the fifth as Ball followed with another single to center field after Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases. Jordan George flied out to center field to end the inning and strand the Pitt runners.

Pitt turned a quick fifth inning after giving up two hits, Hernandez turned double play to end the inning.

Rodriguez started the bottom of the fifth where the Panthers left off in the fourth, hitting a stand up double to force an ETSU pitching change. Rodriguez eventually scored on another Martinez sac fly to give the Panthers a 4-2 edge heading into the final two innings of play. The Panthers scored their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth after a Hernandez RBI double to left center and a Rodriguez RBI single.

Hernandez finished the game going 2-for-2 with three RBI, a home run, a double, and a walk as Rodriguez finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

After giving up a run in each of the first two innings, Kyra Pittman (2-1) held ETSU to five hits and issued just three walks through the final five frames.

UP NEXT
The Panthers are back in action at the Kennesaw State Tournament with another doubleheader Saturday, Feb. 17. Pitt will face ETSU (1:30 p.m.) and then will play host team Kennesaw State (6:30 p.m.).