University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Bring in Six Ahead of 2025 Season
7/8/2024 12:00:00 PM | Softball
PITTSBURGH – Second-year head coach Jenny Allard and the Pitt softball staff have signed six incoming freshmen to join the Panthers for the 2025 season. The talented freshmen class of Bekah Duck, Caitlin Esteves, Amaya Pitt, Mackenzie Reese, Hope Sepe and Gwen Sparks will look to make an impact to help the Panthers move up in ACC ranks for the 2025 season.
"I am excited to welcome this talented group of young women to Pitt," said Allard. "They embody the pursuit of excellence both on and off the field that characterizes Pitt Athletics. I am inspired by their hard work and dedication to all of their endeavors."
Duck is coming off a successful senior season with the Maryville Lady Rebels, posting a 14-6 record with a 1.94 ERA, 189 strikeouts and issuing 42 walks in 123 innings pitched. The Maryville, Tenn. native was named the All-County Times Pitcher of the Year and is a three-time All-County selection. The left-handed pitcher pitched in 23 of 29 games for the Lady Rebels, including seven appearances in relief.
Esteves, an outfielder and catcher out of Diamond Bar High School, has compiled a .406 batting average over the past three seasons with 50 RBI and five runners caught stealing. Esteves plays for the 18U Snyder team and helped lead the team to a top-8 finish at the PGF nationals and to a top-3 Finish in the PGF shootout. Esteves also helped the team to a 6-0 finish at Kansas for Top Gun Invitational.
Pitt, an infielder from Viera High School in Viera, Fla., is a two-time SY Elite Slugger Award winner and helped lead the Hawks to the state semifinals in the 2022. Pitt spends time shortstop and third base and plays for the Unity 18U National Betsa.
A local high school catcher from Hampton High School, Reese has batted .595 with seven home runs, 27 RBI and has struck out just five times in the last three seasons. The Allison Park product earned First-Team All-Conference recognition and currently ranks in the top-15 for batting average in the WPIAL. As a catcher, she averages an arm velocity of 52.3 mph.
Seper, a first baseman and occasional outfielder, earned a .833 fielding percentage and .333 on-base percentage with Valencia High School's softball team. During her senior campaign, Seper led the team with nine doubles and 31 hits while compiling a .462 batting average and .990 fielding percentage. Seper was named to the First Team All Foothill League after helping Valencia High School's softball team win their second consecutive league title.
Sparks, a four-sport athlete out of Notre Dame High School, looks to bolster the Panthers pitching rotation. The 6-2 pitcher has totaled a 43-7 career record with a 1.01 ERA, 636 strikeouts and has thrown 17 no hitters and one perfect game. At the plate, Sparks holds a .348 career batting average with 12 home runs and 65 RBI. The Portsmouth, Ohio, native has been named the Southern Ohio Conference Pitcher of the Year for the past four consecutive seasons and the District Player of the Year twice. Sparks garnered multiple accolades in two other sports, being named the Conference Swimmer of the Year for three consecutive seasons and earning All-District accolades in volleyball.
