University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
17-13
Ohio
20-11
Panthers Drop Midweek Matchup at Ohio
3/24/2026 7:10:00 PM | Softball
ATHENS, Ohio – Pitt dropped a midweek matchup to the Ohio Bobcats, 12-2, at Ohio Softball Field Tuesday evening.
Pitt was limited to two runs on two hits, with Camryn Murphy and KK Esparza recording the Panthers' lone hits. Esparza drove in both runs, while Ohio plated 12 runs on 11 hits.
The Panthers struck first in the opening inning. Alena Ball reached on a fielding error and stole second to move into scoring position before Esparza delivered an RBI single to left center, giving Pitt an early 1-0 advantage.
Ohio answered in the bottom half of the inning when Belle Hummel led off with a double. Hummel advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game, 1-1, despite a diving catch in center field by Ahmari Braden. The Bobcats continued to capitalize, scoring six runs in the inning to take a 6-1 lead.
Bekah Duck entered the circle after two outs in the first, replacing starter Mia Kliethermes, who faced eight batters. Pitt ended the inning on a defensive highlight as Murphy fired a throw from left field to cut down a runner at the plate.
Ohio extended its lead to 9-1 in the second inning on a three-run homer by Izzie Wilson.
Pitt added its final run in the third. Ball laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance runners, and Esparza followed with an RBI groundout to make it 9-2.
Amelia Long took the mound in the third inning, and Allie Lukaszewicz pitched the final two-thirds of the game.
Pitt returns to action this weekend with an ACC road series at No. 13 Virginia, March 27-29.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Miller, Skipp (11-4)
L: Kliethermes, Mia (4-1)
Batting:
RBI: Esparza, KK 2
SH: Ball, Alena 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ball, Alena 1 ; Braden, Ahmari 1
SB: Ball, Alena 1 ; Murphy, Camryn 1 ; Braden, Ahmari 1
Batting:
2B: Hummel, Belle 1 ; Wycuff, Jordyn 1 ; McDaniel, Rylee 1 ; Book, Alexis 1
3B: Wilson, Izzie 1
HR: Wilson, Izzie 1
RBI: Hummel, Belle 1 ; Westler, Shelby 3 ; Wilson, Izzie 4 ; Wycuff, Jordyn 1 ; McDaniel, Rylee 2 ; Book, Alexis 1
SF: Westler, Shelby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hummel, Belle 2 ; Bare, Colleen 1 ; Westler, Shelby 1 ; Farmer, Brenna 1 ; Wilson, Izzie 2 ; Wycuff, Jordyn 2 ; Young, Sydney 1 ; McDaniel, Rylee 1 ; Book, Alexis 1
HBP: Young, Sydney 1
