Panthers Take Two in SpaceU Classic Finale

Saturday, February 22

Orlando, FL

9 AM EST

Pitt

7-7

Quinnipiac

1-5

Pitt

Quinnipiac

Panthers Take Two in SpaceU Classic Finale

2/22/2025 1:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ORLANDO – The Pitt softball team picked up two wins over Quinnipiac, 2-1, and FGCU, 5-2, during the final day of the SpaceU Classic at the UCF Softball Complex, Saturday morning. The Panthers move to 8-7 overall on the season.

Pitt 2, Quinnipiac 1
Pitt got on the board early after taking advantage of two Quinnipiac errors in the first innings. Kylie Griggs hit a leadoff single and later advanced to second on a throwing error from the catcher on a stolen base attempt. Tieley Vaughn got on first after a throwing error from third base, setting up a two-run double from Camryn Murphy to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

Gwen Sparks (2-2) held the Bobcats scoreless through three innings, allowing just one hit and issuing three walks in that span. Quinnipiac got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring off a fielding error by Pitt.

Sparks earned the win after pitching 6.0 innings and allowing one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Kyra Pittman was awarded with the save after pitching one shutout inning of relief. Pittman threw 10 pitches and issued one walk to the three batters faced.

The Panthers scored both runs in the top of the first and were held without a hit through the remaining six innings.

Pitt 5, FGCU 2
The Panthers scored first in the top of the second inning after recording a quick three outs to begin the game. In the top of the second, Saleyna Daniel reached first on a fielding error from the shortstop and eventually scored on a Desirae Martinez double down the left field line to take a 1-0 lead.

Pitt took advantage of a few mistakes from the FGCU defense and scored four runs in the top of the third inning for a 5-0 lead. Ahmari Braden led off the inning with a single and Kylie Griggs got on base with a bunt single that advanced Braden to third off another FGCU error. Griggs was in a rundown between first and second but was able to get back on base safely while Braden was able to score another run after avoiding the tag at home plate. Kaitlyn Brannstrom hit another bunt that scored two more runs and was safe at first after a throwing error. Martinez drove in Brannstrom on an infield single to cap off the inning.

Kyra Pittman retired the first six batters faced before giving up a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the third inning. The Eagles scored another run to cut the deficit 5-2 after three complete innings. The Cumberland, Md. native went on to allow just two hits and a walk in the remaining four frames.

Pittman (4-3) tossed her third complete game this season, finishing with two runs (one earned), four hits, a walk, and three strikeouts over the 7.0 innings.

UP NEXT
The Panthers travel to the West Coast for the Louisville Slugger Invitational, hosted by Long Beach State, Feb. 28-March 2. Pitt will face off against Cal Poly, Omaha, Utah Tech, Loyola-Marymount, and Long Beach State over the three-day tournament.