April 29, 2006

Game One Box Score |  Game Two Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College softball team split a BIG EAST doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, April 29. PC lost the first game, 2-0, but captured the nightcap, 3-2. With the win, the Friars clinched a berth in the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 1995. The Friars moved to 28-15-1 overall, including a 10-8 mark in BIG EAST play. The 10 conference wins marks the most since 2004. Pittsburgh is now 28-25 overall and 9-11 in league play.

The first game featured strong pitching by PC's Sara Surosky (Elmira, N.Y.) and Pitt's Laura Belardinelli. Belardinelli (14-9) pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out 10 PC batters. Surosky (16-11) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out five batters in five innings of action. The Panthers scored both of their runs in the fourth inning when Christa Hunter hit a two-out, two-run home run. PC sophomore Sam Pittman (San Diego, Calif.) had two hits, while junior Rachel Bartholomew (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) had one hit to increase her career-high hit streak to 12 games.

In the second game, the Panthers again jumped out to a 2-0 lead as they scored two runs in the second inning, capped off by Sheena Hellon's RBI double. The Friars responded with three runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-2 lead. PC loaded the bases and freshman Gina Rossi (Bakersfield, Calif.) drove in the Friars' first run of the afternoon on a sacrifice fly. After senior Tara Sullivan (Tualatin, Ore.) reached on a fielder's choice, junior Katie Ross (Middleboro, Mass.) singled to score freshman Mary Sheehy (Woodbridge, Conn.) and senior Elena Romero (Chula Vista, Calif.). That was all freshman pitcher Jennifer Maccio (Huntington Station, N.Y.) needed as she held the Panthers scoreless the rest of the way to improve to 10-4. Maccio pitched seven innings, allowed two runs on eight hits and posted four strikeouts. Pitt's Meghan Bostick also pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out six batters. Bartholomew's hit streak climbed to 13 games as she had a single in the second game.

The Friars are back in action on Sunday, April 30 with a BIG EAST doubleheader at Syracuse.