Pitt
Saint Francis
Sparks, Frazier Lead Pitt to a Shutout Win Over Saint Francis
4/22/2025 8:10:00 PM | Softball
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt softball team continued their momentum from last weekend as they defeated Saint Francis, 8-0, in five innings Tuesday evening at Vartabedian Field.
Gwen Sparks tossed 4.0 shutout innings to lead the Panthers in the circle. Sparks struck out four of the first seven batters faced and finished the outing allowing just two hits with five strikeouts. Sparks faced 14 batters and used just 55 pitches to earn her sixth win of the season. Shelby Frazier led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI.
The Panthers took an early lead after drawing two walks and loaded the bases after a fielding error from Saint Francis. Kylie Griggs scored on a dropped ball from the catcher at home and Tieley Vaughn scored on a ground ball to the shortstop to take a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
Pitt hit three solo home runs in the bottom of the third inning to extend the lead 5-0. Frazier and Ana Hernandez led off the inning with back-to-back solo home runs before KK Esparza followed with another solo home run to cap off the inning.
Frazier gave the Panthers an eight-run lead to secure the run-rule victory with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Camryn Murphy drew a walk and Amanda "Tuta" Ramirez hit a single to left field to set up the clutch home run for Frazier.
Sparks retired the side in the top of the fifth inning to secure the win for the Panthers.
UP NEXT
Pitt travels to Minneapolis to face off against Minnesota and North Dakota. The Panthers will play one game against Golden Gophers on Friday (7 p.m. – B1G+) and will play a doubleheader against North Dakota (1 p.m.) and Minnesota on Saturday (3:30 p.m. – B1G+).
