Sparks Dominates, Pitt Edges SLU 2-1

Saturday, February 28

Richmond, KY

10 AM

Pitt

11-6

Saint Louis

7-11

Pitt

Saint Louis

Sparks Dominates, Pitt Edges SLU 2-1

2/28/2026 1:35:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Pitt continued the momentum into the second day of the Colonel Classic, defeating Saint Louis, 2-1, powered by a dominant outing in the circle from Gwen Sparks.

Saint Louis struck first in the opening inning, holding Pitt to just one hit through the first four innings. Shelby Frazier tied the game with a solo home run to left field in the top of the fifth.

Sparks settled in on the mound, retiring every batter over the final five frames, including striking out the side in the bottom of the fifth. She allowed both hits in the opening two innings but did not allow a batter to reach base the rest of the way, recording all eight of her strikeouts during that stretch.

She earned the win after tossing a complete game, matching a career-high eight strikeouts while allowing just two hits, one run, and no walks.

Pitt took the lead in the top of the sixth. Tieley Vaughn started the rally with a single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Alena Ball. She eventually scored on Calle Henne's single to give the Panthers a 2-1 advantage.

The Panthers held the lead the rest of the way to secure the win.

UP NEXT
Pitt wraps up the Colonel Classic with a doubleheader against Bradley (10 a.m.) and Eastern Kentucky (12:30 p.m.) on Sunday. The Panthers' game against Eastern Kentucky will be streamed on ESPN+.