Strong Offense Powers Pitt Past Louisville, Panthers Split Doubleheader

Friday, March 29

Pittsburgh, PA

3 PM

Pitt

8-23, 0-10

Louisville

21-13, 2-5

Louisville

Pittsburgh

Strong Offense Powers Pitt Past Louisville, Panthers Split Doubleheader

3/29/2024 9:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt softball team bounced back with a 9-4 win over Louisville in the second game of a doubleheader, Friday evening at Vartabedian Field. The Panthers split the doubleheader dropping to the Cardinals, 3-2, in game one.

The Panthers' offense came alive in the second game by scoring nine runs on 13 hits after being held to two runs on four hits in game one. Cami Compson finished the day going 3-for-7 with two home runs and four RBI while KK Esparza matched a career-high by going 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in game two.

Game One - Pitt 2, Louisville 3
The Panthers struck first after Kylie Griggs was hit by a pitch and stole second base to get Pitt in scoring position early. Griggs eventually scored on a high fly ball to center field from KK Esparza that was dropped by the Louisville center fielder.

Cami Compson hit a solo opposite field home run to extend the Panthers' lead, 2-0, in the bottom of the second inning. The homer was Compson's seventh of the season and the Panthers' eighth home run in the last three games.

Olivia Stefanoni held Louisville scoreless through the first 3.0 innings, allowing three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

The Cardinals loaded the bases in the top of the fourth and tied the game with a two-run single from Katie Thatcher. Esparza and Stefanoni saved the go ahead run by recording the out at home plate, keeping the score 2-2.

Ally Alexander scored the final run for Louisville after being hit by a pitch in the top of the sixth, and eventually scored on a sac fly.

Danni Farris (1-2) entered the game with two outs in the top of the fifth and allowed one unearned run and a hit batter in 2.1 innings of relief. Stefanoni ended the day limiting the Cardinals to two earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts, two walks, and a hit batter.

Game Two - Pitt 9, Louisville 4
Pitt picked up their first conference win as nine different Panthers recorded a hit, including three-players recording multi-hit performances. KK Esparza led the offense by going 3-for-3 with a home run, Kat Rodriguez finished 2-for-3, and Jordan George went 2-for-3 for her first career multi-hit effort.

The Panthers' bats came alive in the second inning as Pitt scored four runs on four hits, including two home runs. Esparza started the rally by hitting her third home run of the season with a solo shot to left field off an 0-1 pitch.

George hit a single to left field and Alena Ball hit a single to third base and ended up scoring off a throwing error that rolled the right field corner. Kylie Griggs hit the Panther's second home run of the inning in the next at-bat, extending the Panthers' lead to 4-0.

Rodriguez led off the bottom of the third inning with a single through the left side. Esparza picked up her second hit of the game with an RBI single up the middle to score Rodriguez.

Kyra Pittman (5-7) gave up just four hits while holding Louisville scoreless through 4.1 innings. The Cardinals cut the deficit to two runs, 5-3, after Vanessa Miller hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning.

Compson answered the Cardinals with a three-run homer of her own to center field. George added an RBI single to increase the Panthers' lead, 9-3, in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Olivia Stefanoni was awarded with the save after entering with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. Stefanoni held Louisville to one run on four hits with three strikeouts, over 2.1 innings.

Up Next
The Panthers wrap up the series against Louisville with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. Concession stands will not be open during Sunday's game.