Pitt Picks Up Two Wins over UIW, Houston

Friday, February 14

Houston, TX

11 AM EST

Pitt

4-2

UIW

3-3

UIW

Pittsburgh

Pitt Picks Up Two Wins over UIW, Houston

2/14/2025 9:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HOUSTON – Camryn Murphy hit a walk-off home run against UIW as the Panthers combined for five home runs en route to winning both games during the first day of the Easton Classic at Cougar Softball Stadium, Friday.

The Panthers improved to 5-2 on the young season by defeating UIW, 8-7, on a walk-off home run and beating host team Houston, 6-3, to cap off the day.

Pitt 8, UIW 7
Freshman left-handed pitcher Bekah Duck retired the side on eight pitches to open the game, but it was the Cardinals who struck first in the top of the second inning after reaching base from a hit by pitch and scoring on a single to center field.

Camryn Murphy answered for the Panthers in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run homer to left field with two outs, giving the Panthers a 2-1 edge after two completed innings. UIW regained the lead, 4-2, in the top of the third inning with a three-run home run to left center field.

The Panthers got their offense going in the bottom of the third inning after Kaitlyn Brannstrom drew a walk and Kylie Griggs hit a single, advancing on a throwing error by the UIW centerfielder to put the tying run in scoring position. Shelby Frazier hit a single to tie the game at 4-4 with two outs in the bottom of the third.

The Panthers and Cardinals were each scoreless through the fourth inning, but the Cardinals took a 7-4 lead in the fifth after scoring three runs off two Pitt errors.

The Panthers added a run on a groundout to cut the deficit to two runs heading into the final inning of play.

The Panthers put up a fight in the seventh inning as Griggs hit a leadoff double and Ana Hernandez singled to third base with two outs. Murphy walked off the game with her second homer of the day, a three-run homer to right center field off the first pitch.

Kendall Brown earned the win after pitching 3.0 shutout innings of relief, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts and two walks.

Pitt 6, Houston 3
The Panthers struck first by hitting two home runs with two outs in the top of the first inning. Kaitlyn Brannstrom got the Panthers on the board with a solo home run to left field. Tieley Vaughn followed with a single to the shortstop, setting up a two-run homer for KK Esparza. Esparza hit her first home run of the season to left field to give the Panthers an early 3-0 lead.

The Cougars made it a one-run game in the bottom of the third inning with a leadoff single from Jordee Wilkins, followed by a two-run homer from Maddie Hartley.

Pitt extended its lead in the top of the fourth inning with an Ahmari Braden single up the middle that forced a Houston error on the throw to home plate that scored pinch runner Shelby Frazier. Braden advanced to third and beat out the throw to home plate on a Kylie Griggs line drive to center field to make the score 5-2 in the next at bat.

The Cougars scored a run on a single to first base to make it 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth, but Saleyna Daniel answered for the Panthers in the top of the seventh with another solo home run to left field to add insurance for the 6-3 win.

Kyra Pittman (2-1) earned the win after allowing two earned runs on five hits with three walks in 5.0 innings of work. Kendall Brown returned to the circle and earned the save after pitching 2.0 innings of relief, allowing on earned run on three hits and issuing three walks.

UP NEXT
The Panthers will face off against UIW (11 a.m. EST) and Houston (5 p.m. – ESPN+) tomorrow to continue the Easton Classic.