April 29, 2006

Box Score

PITTSBURGH--Senior Christa Hunter recorded a two-out homer in the fourth inning to lift the University of Pittsburgh softball team to a 2-0 win over Providence in game one of this afternoon's doubleheader at Trees Field. The win marks the ninth conference victory for the Panthers, which becomes a school record.

Hunter (Sacramento, Calif./Harim Johnson West) took over the second-best spot on the all-time home runs list when she garnered her eighth long ball of the season with a deep shot over the left field wall on a 2-2 count. Hunter has 18 career home runs.

Hunter recorded a RBI on the two-out homer when sophomore Valerie Mihalik (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) scored from second after replacing senior Lisa McGregor (Royersford, Pa./Spring Senior) on base. McGregor singled to left center field to lead off the fourth for the Panthers.

The Friars first opportunity to score was in the top of the second inning. Junior Laura Belardinelli (Endicott, N.Y./Union) walked the first two batters and fanned the next two. After walking a third batter to load the bases, Belardinelli held off Providence with her fourth strikeout of the game.

The bases were loaded again for Belardinelli in the third, when junior Sheena Hellon (Sacramento, Calif./Cordova) fielded a groundball to end the inning for Pitt.

Belardinelli pitched the four-hit shutout and fanned a season-high 10 batters.

Hellon stole her 21^st base in the game and is three shy of tying the 2000 single-season record for stolen bases, held by Robin Johnston.