University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Penn State
3/18/2024 5:22:00 PM | Softball
PITT PANTHERS (8-18, 0-6 ACC)
vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (20-6, 0-0 Big Ten)
March 19, 2024 – 5 p.m.
Vartabedian Field | Pittsburgh, Pa.
QUICK HITS: The Panthers return to Pittsburgh after spending the first six weeks of the season on the road. Pitt will face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions for its home opener, Tuesday, March 19, at Vartabedian Field. The Panthers finished up a nine game, 10-day road stretch where they traveled to FGCU, FIU, and No. 12 Virginia Tech. The Panthers are 8-12 in non-conference games this season and trail the all-time series to the Nittany Lions, 8-19.
THE ROAD AHEAD: Pitt began its season with six consecutive weeks on the road, playing a total of 26 games from Feb. 9-March 17 before returning to Pittsburgh for their home-opener (Feb. 19 - vs. Penn State). The Panthers will spend the next two weeks at home, facing off against Penn State (March 19), No. 18 Florida State (March 22-24), Miami-OH (March 27), and Louisville (March 29-31).
BY THE NUMBERS:
- Junior catcher KK Esparza leads the ACC and ranks eighth in the NCAA with nine caught stealings. Esparza has caught nine runners on 23 stolen base attempts. Esparza leads the team and holds the ninth-best conference batting average among ACC players, batting .455 (5-for-11) with a home run in six conference games.
- Kat Rodriguez leads the Panthers in batting average (.329), OPS (.908), runs scored (14), hits (25), and on-base percentage (.395). Rodriguez finished the FGCU Classic batting .500 (8-for-16) with a double, a triple, and two home runs in five games. Rodriguez has also recorded three multi-hit efforts, including two three-hit games.
- Kylie Griggs has recorded a hit in six of the last seven games, including hitting a home run in four of those contests. Griggs became the 20th Panther to hit a grand slam when she launched a home run to left field in the top of the sixth inning, making it a one-run game against No. 12 Virginia Tech.
PROMOTION: Dollar Dogs Day
Fans can purchase hot dogs for $1 when gates open until the end of the first inning. These hot dogs will be paired with 50% off beer (Happy Hour) and a $2 regular soft drink.
SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS:
Friday Happy Hours - Every Friday from gates open until first pitch, domestic beers are 50% off
Sundae Funday - Every Sunday $6 Dippin' Dots offered in Pitt Helmets
Double Dog Play - When Pitt has a double-play in an inning, there will be a hot dog 2-or-1 deal at the concession stand for the remainder of the game.
Double Bubble(gum) - When Pitt hits a double, bubblegum will be tossed to the crowd during the inning.
