Hamlin Pitches Rutgers Softball to BIG EAST Split With Pittsburgh

Sunday, March 30

Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers

11-17, 1-3

Pittsburgh

15-12, 3-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	7	2
RUTGERS	0	0	0	1	2	0	X	3	8	0

Hamlin Pitches Rutgers Softball to BIG EAST Split With Pittsburgh

Mar 30 | Softball

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Freshman Katye Hamlin (College State, Texas) pitched effectively while junior shortstop Kate Valiante (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) provided a pair of timely RBIs as the Rutgers softball team (11-17, 1-3 BIG EAST) defeated Pittsburgh (15-12, 3-1 BIG EAST) 3-1 in game two of its doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers won game one by a score of 9-3.

In the opening game of the afternoon, the Scarlet Knights and Panthers traded runs on a couple occasions, but it was a five-run seventh inning that proved to be the difference maker.

Pitt took a one-run lead with a score in the second, however, RU responded with a run in the bottom of the third to tie things at 1-1. Junior Amanda Shaw (Yorba Linda, Calif.) singled up the middle to start the third and eventually scored on an RBI-single from Valiante.

The Panthers pulled away for another lead with a run in the fourth, but the Scarlet Knights quickly closed the gap, tying the game at 2-2 in the home half of the frame. Freshman Mickenzie Alden (Spokane, Wash.) reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second a Pitt error and took third on a single from Shaw. Junior Amanda Heller (Belle Mead, N.J.) then stepped to the plate and drove in the run with a sac fly to centerfield, as Alden beat out a throw to the plate.

Pittsburgh extended its advantage with two more runs in the sixth and increased the cushion further with five runs in the seventh. Rutgers cut into the Panthers' seven run lead (9-2) with a solo home run by Heller, her second of the season.

In game two, the Scarlet Knights took the first lead with a single run in the fourth inning. With two outs, Rutgers got back-to-back singles from juniors Kim Hodges (Houston, Texas) and Brittany Loisel (Gilbert, Ariz.). A fielding error on Loisel's hit allowed both players to advance an extra base, putting runners on second and third for RU.

A single from freshman Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) drove in Hodges as the Scarlet Knights went up 1-0. Pitt tied the game in the top half of the fifth on an RBI-single to left center, but Rutgers would eventually answer with the winning runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Freshman Jen Meinheit (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) and Shaw started the inning with a pair of singles and both moved an extra base on a sacrifice bunt by Heller. Two batters later, Valiante stepped in the box and sent a shot back up the middle, driving in both Meinheit and Shaw to give Rutgers the 3-1 victory.

In the sixth inning, Hamlin put away the side in order and despite a leadoff hit in the seventh; she retired the last three hitters to preserve the Scarlet Knights' lead. With the win, Hamlin moved to 5-5 on the season as she held the Panthers to one run on seven hits while striking out four.

Rutgers will return to action on Tuesday, April 1, for a 3:00 p.m. road doubleheader against Stony Brook. The Scarlet Knights will resume BIG EAST play on Saturday, April 5, when they host USF at the RU Softball Complex at 12:00 p.m.