Panthers Fall to UCF

Thursday, February 20

Orlando, FL

6 PM EST

Pitt

5-6

UCF

9-5-1

Pitt

UCF

2/20/2025 8:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

ORLANDO – The Pitt softball team dropped to UCF, 4-2, during the opening night of the SpaceU Classic at the UCF Softball Complex, Thursday.

The Panthers totaled seven hits but couldn't overcome a strong pitching performance from the Knights. Ahmari Braden (2-for-3), Saleyna Daniel (2-for-3), and Desirae Martinez (2-for-3) all recorded multi-hit efforts for the Panthers.

The Knights attacked early, scoring all four runs over the first two innings. Sierra Humphreys hit a leadoff home run to give the Knights a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Sparks gave up her lone walk of the night before getting a big strikeout in the next at-bat to record the second out of the inning. The Knights got a single and followed with a two-run double to take a 3-0 lead after one inning.

Sparks got two quick outs to start the second inning, recording a strikeout and generating a pop up to second base. The Knights were able to steal another run on a caught stealing attempt before Izzy Mertes was tagged out on a rundown between first and second base to end the inning.

Braden beat out the throw on a hit to the pitcher to get the first base runner on for the Panthers in the top of the third but was later called out on a steal attempt to end the second inning.

After giving up four runs over the first two innings, Gwen Sparks (1-2) allowed just three hits in 15 batters faced, over the next 4.0 innings.

An error and a single from Daniel put the Panthers on first and second base with two outs but Pitt couldn't get any offense going in the top of the fourth inning. Martinez hit a single up the middle and then scored off a Braden single to right field to get the Panthers on the board.

Kaitlyn Brannstrom drew a walk in the top of the sixth and Daniel hit a double to right center to put two runners in scoring position with one out in the top of the sixth, but the Panthers couldn't bring in any runs as the inning ended on a strikeout. Griggs drove in the last run to make the score 4-2 with two outs in the top of the seventh.

Yessenia Lopez earned the win for the Knights after tossing a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and issuing one walk.

UP NEXT
The Panthers continue the SpaceU Classic with a double header tomorrow against Quinnipiac (11:30 a.m.) and Columbia (2 p.m.). Live updates will be available through StatBroadcast.