Panthers Split Opening Day at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Friday, February 7

Clearwater, FL

10 AM EST

Pitt

0-1

Kentucky

1-0

Pitt

Kentucky

Panthers Split Opening Day at NFCA Leadoff Classic

2/7/2025 4:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Pitt softball team opened the 2025 season by splitting a doubleheader against Kentucky and Morgan State at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic, Friday morning. The Panthers dropped the first game to Kentucky, 7-0, but bounced back with a 12-2 win over Morgan State in five innings.

Kylie Griggs led the Panthers offense, combining to go 3-for-7 with a double and two RBI in the two games. Gwen Sparks made her debut in the circle for the Panthers, earning the win against Morgan State after allowing two earned runs on four hits and two strikeouts.

Kentucky 7, Pitt 0
The Panthers and Wildcats were each scoreless through the first inning as Kyra Pittman retired the first three Kentucky batters. Second baseman Tieley Vaughn got the first hit of the game in the top of the first inning with a single up the middle and then stole second to get in scoring position, but was unable to cross home plate.

Kentucky's offense came alive in the second inning as Peyton Plotts hit a single that dropped in shallow right field to get the first runner on base for the Wildcats. Kentucky hit a bunt single and a sacrifice bunt to get two runners in scoring position with no outs. Kentucky loaded the bases with a hit-by-pitch and Emory Donaldson hit a double to clear the bases for a 3-0 lead. Donaldson scored on a passed ball during the next at bat to extend the lead 4-0.

Freshman Bekah Duck made her collegiate debut after entering the game to start the bottom of the third inning. After walking her first batter faced, Duck retired the next three batters to end the inning.

The Wildcats scored again in the fifth inning with a solo home run to center field and added two more runs in the sixth inning on an RBI double and a passed ball.

Alexia Lacatena earned the win as Pittman was saddled with the loss after pitching 2.0 innings. Duck finished the day allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits, four walks, and a home run.

Pitt 12, Morgan State 2
Morgan State struck first as they retired the top of the Panthers' lineup and scored off an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead.

The Panthers responded by scoring four runs in the top of the second inning and scored four runs in each of the next two frames to lead to the 12-2 run-rule victory in five innings.

KK Esparza drew a walk to lead off the second inning, advancing to second base and then to third base on back-to-back groundout plays. Esparza tied the game after scoring on a passed ball. The Panthers got the next three batters on base with a single, error, and walk to set up a Griggs two-run double to extend the Panthers lead.

Kaitlyn Brannstrom hit another two-run double in the third inning to spark another four-run inning for the Panthers. Vaughn led off the top of the fourth inning with a double and eventually scored on a Camryn Murphy sacrifice fly. Shelby Frazier made her official appearance for the Panthers, hitting a two-run single to extend the Panther lead, 11-1. Frazier later scored on an Amaya Pitt single to close out the fourth inning.

Gwen Sparks earned the win tossing 4.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Panthers continue the NFCA Leadoff Classic with another double header tomorrow against Southern Mississippi (12 p.m.) and Kennesaw State (6 p.m.). All games will be streamed live on the GameChanger App.