Pitt Sweeps Opening Day at NFCA Leadoff Classic

Friday, February 6

Clearwater, FL

10 AM

Pitt

1-0

North Carolina Central

0-1

Pitt

NCCU

Pitt Sweeps Opening Day at NFCA Leadoff Classic

2/6/2026 6:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Box Score - NCCU (PDF)Box Score - Longwood (PDF)Photo Gallery

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Pitt softball team opened the 2026 season Friday at the Eddie C. Moore Complex, picking up a pair of wins to begin the season 2–0. The Panthers started the day with an 11–3 victory over North Carolina Central before shutting out Longwood, 4–0, in the evening contest.

Game 1: Pitt 11, NCCU 3
Pitt's offense erupted for 11 runs on 11 hits as the Panthers pulled away late to defeat NCCU. Pitt took an early 3-1 lead after four inning and then broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning and added four more runs in the seventh to seal the win.

The freshmen duo of Gracie Helton and Calle Henne paced the Panthers, as Helton went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, and Henne finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, two walks and a run scored.

Alena Ball also had a big day offensively, collecting two hits, driving in a run, and scoring twice. Pitt showed aggressiveness on the basepaths, swiping five bases in the win.

In the circle, Kyra Pittman earned the win, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings while striking out three. Duck closed the game in the seventh inning to secure the victory.

Game 2: Pitt 4, Longwood 0
The Panthers carried their momentum into the second game, earning a 4–0 shutout over Longwood behind a dominant pitching performance from Gwen Sparks.

Sparks was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and striking out six.

Offensively, Pitt struck early and added insurance runs late. Addison Oberbreckling drove in the first run with a double deep to center field, giving Pitt an early lead in the second inning. The Panthers capitalized on four Longwood errors in the sixth inning to take a 4–0 lead.

Longwood's Maggie Chapin took the loss despite a strong effort, striking out eight across six innings. Ava Abromavage recorded Longwood's lone extra-base hit with a triple, but the Lancers were unable to capitalize.

UP NEXT
The Panthers continue the NFCA Leadoff Classic tomorrow with games against Michigan State (3 p.m.) and against Auburn (7 p.m.). Both games will be streamed on GameChanger.