Pitt Uses 6-3 Victory to Secure Series Over No. 11 Virginia Tech

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Pitt Uses 6-3 Victory to Secure Series Over No. 11 Virginia Tech

4/18/2025 9:54:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

Panthers Record First Ever Series Win Over a Ranked Opponent

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt softball team bounced back to hand No. 11 Virginia Tech their first conference series loss of the season with a 6-3 victory over the Hokies in the second game of a doubleheader, Friday night at Vartabedian Field. The victory marked the first ever series win over a ranked opponent for the Panthers.

It was a pitcher's duel in the rubber match as Kyra Pittman and Emma Lemley were both dialed in the circle. Pittman retired 14 of the first 16 batters faced, allowing just two hits without issuing a walk to shutout the Hokies in the first 5.0 innings.

The Panthers came out strong after the hour and a half break between games after dropping the first game of the doubleheader, 21-0, to the Hokies. Virginia Tech hit 11 home runs en route to their victory, marking the second-most home runs in a game in NCAA history.

The Panthers got on the board in the first inning as Kylie Griggs and Tieley Vaughn drew back-to-back walks to set up a Kaitlyn Brannstrom two-run single.

Pittman and Lemley each held the opposing team scoreless through four innings before the Hokies broke through in the top of the sixth to take the lead.

Michelle Chatfield gave the Hokies the go-ahead with a three-run homer to center field in the top of the sixth inning. The Hokies hit a double down the left field line and then reached on a Pitt fielding error to get on base.

The Panthers answered with a four-run sixth inning to secure the victory. Brannstrom drew a leadoff walk and Desirae Martinez doubled to left center field to get the go-ahead run in scoring position. Shelby Frazier entered as a pinch hitter and drove in the game-tying run on a sac fly as Alena Ball avoided the tag at home plate. Martinez took the lead after scoring on a wild pitch and KK Esparza put the exclamation point on the inning with a solo home run to center field for a 5-3 lead. Vaughn capped off the inning with a double to left field to give the Panthers a 6-3 lead heading into the final inning.

Pittman closed out the game by retiring the last three batters on fly outs to secure the historic win for the Panthers.

HISTORIC NIGHT
Pitt recorded their first series win over the Hokies since taking both games of the series on March 23, 2018.

The win marked the first ever series win over a ranked opponent. Pitt got the 2-1 series upset over the Hokies despite being outscored 30-13 over the three-game series.

GRIGGS IS STILL ON FIRE
Kylie Griggs finished the series against Virginia Tech batting .667 (6-for-9) with two doubles and three walks.

She has reached base safely in 14 consecutive games while recording a hit in 12 of those 14 games. Griggs is batting .489 (22-for-45) with eight doubles and four home runs in that 14-game span. The Perrysburg, Ohio native has hit 14 doubles this season, tied for seventh most for a single season in program history.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action to host Saint Francis at Vartabedian Field on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Pitt travels to Minnesota to face the Golden Gophers and North Dakota April 25-26.