PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh softball team took one of two from Bucknell on Wednesday at Vartabedian Field, winning game one 9-0 (five innings) but falling in game two 5-4.
Pitt [24-13] handled the Bison [20-12] in game one, putting together three three-run innings and shutting out Bucknell on its way to a 9-0 victory. In game two, a two-run home run by Bucknell’s Lauren Hadley in the top of the sixth put the Bison on top.
Freshman Olivia Gray and sophomore Giorgiana Zeremenko headlined Pitt’s offensive production in the doubleheader. Gray went 4-for-6 on the day, scored twice and hit a two-run home run in the first game. Zeremenko finished the evening 3-for-5 at the plate. In addition to knocking a ball out of the park in game one, she hit a solo shot, drove in three runs and scored twice in game two. Junior Kaitlin Manuelwas also impressive, going 3-for-6 with a double and three RBIs.
Senior Jenna Modic earned the win on the mound for the Panthers in game one, pitching five shut-out innings, while allowing just three hits and one walk. She also pitched one scoreless inning of relief in the seventh inning of game two. In the loss, sophomore Kayla Harris struck out six batters.
Game One: Pitt 9, Bucknell 0 (Five Innings)
· The Panthers defeated Bucknell in game one, claiming a 9-0 victory in five innings.
· Pitt jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second. After a Maggie Sevilla double, Gray hit a two-run homer to center field. A pair of singles and a walk would then load the bases for sophomore Erin Hershman, who hit a sacrifice fly to bring home senior Kathryn Duran.
· The Panthers extended their lead to 6-0 in the third inning. Sevilla and Zeremenko led off with back-to-back solo home runs. Gray then came around to score the third run of the frame on a Manuel double to right field.
· Pitt’s lead grew to 9-0 in the fourth. After a walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases, Zeremenko earned a walk to score Hershman. Manuel drove in two more in the fourth, singling to right field and bringing home Sevilla and junior pinch runner Morgan Choe.
Game Two: Bucknell 5, Pitt 4
· The Panthers dropped game two, falling short in a back and forth contest 5-4.
· Pitt took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Zeremenko walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third and home on a pair of illegal pitches.
· Bucknell responded in the third, scoring three to take a 3-1 lead. First baseman Ryanne Rokos hit a two-RBI single to left, scoring Chaylen Andolino and Paulina Gutkin. A fielding error then allowed Rokos to score the Bison’s third run of the inning.
· The Panthers cut the Bucknell lead to 3-2 in the fourth when Zeremenko hit a solo home run to left field.
· Pitt regained the lead, 4-3, in the fifth thanks to a clutch two-out, two-RBI single by Zeremenko that plated Hershman and Taylor.
· Bucknell’s Lauren Hadley hit a game winning two-run home run in the top of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead.
Up Next
· Pitt will travel to South Bend, Ind. To take on No. 22/20 Notre Dame for a double header on Saturday and the final game of the series on Sunday. Game one of the double-header on Saturday is set to begin at 1 p.m.
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