Griggs’ Grand Slam Leads Pitt Over North Carolina

Saturday, April 13

Pittsburgh, PA

1 PM

Pitt

12-26, 3-13

North Carolina

26-13, 7-9

North Carolina

Pittsburgh

Griggs’ Grand Slam Leads Pitt Over North Carolina

4/13/2024 7:32:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PITTSBURGH – Kylie Griggs hit a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning, lifting the Panthers over North Carolina, 8-2, in the second game of a doubleheader at Vartabedian Field, Saturday afternoon. The Panthers fell in game one to the Tar Heels by the score of 7-2.

Griggs went 2-for-4 in game two and recorded her second grand slam of the season. Griggs is the first Panther to record two grand slams in the same season and just the fifth player to hit multiple grand slams in their career.

The Panthers scored eight runs on nine hits in game two after being held to two runs on three hits in the first game.

Pitt 2, North Carolina 7
Olivia Stefanoni retired the first three batters faced and held the Tar Heels scoreless for the first two frames. The Panthers scored their lone two runs in the bottom of the first as they finished with three hits.

Leading off the bottom of the first, Kylie Griggs drew a walk after battling in a 10 pitch at bat and advanced to second on a fly out. Cami Compson drew a walk after a seven pitch at bat to put runners on first and second with one out. KK Esparza brought in the second run of the inning with a sac fly to center field.

The Tar Heels took the lead in the top of the third inning off an Abby Settlemyre three-run home run to center field. North Carolina scored in each of the next two frames off an Autumn Owens solo home run in the fourth and another Owens homer in the fifth.

Danni Farris entered the circle in the top of the fifth inning and retired two of the three batters faced. Farris threw three pitches and got three outs in the top of the sixth inning.

Pitt 8, North Carolina 2
The Panthers and Tar Heels each scored one run in the second inning as KK Esparza was hit by a pitch and later scored on a Desirae Martinez single to left field. The Panthers took the lead after back-to-back singles from Alena Ball and Griggs in the next frame to take a 2-1 lead.

The Tar Heels tied the game again after Lexi Godwin led off the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run. Pitt answered by putting up five runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-2 lead. Esparza started the rally with a single to left field, Macy Hamilton reached first base on an error and Desirae Martinez got the Panthers in scoring position with a sac bunt.

Ana Hernandez hit an RBI single to give the Panthers the 3-2 edge with one out. Alena Ball hit a bunt single to load the bases followed by a grand slam from Griggs off a 2-0 pitch to make the score 7-2. The Panthers scored one more run in the bottom of the fifth with a Desirae Martinez solo home run.

Kyra Pittman earned the win after tossing 5.0 innings and allowing two earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Olivia Stefanoni pitched the final 2.0 innings in relief, allowing just two hits and a walk.

Up Next
The Panthers wrap up the series against North Carolina with a single game tomorrow at 1 p.m.