Pitt Drops Doubleheader to No. 18 Florida State

PITTSBURGH – The Panthers’ bats came alive in game two as Pitt hit four home runs with KK Esparza (2-for-3) duck Ana Hernandez (2-for-3) leading the Pitt offense. The offensive spark was not enough as the Panthers dropped both games of the doubleheader against No. 18 Florida State, Sunday afternoon at Vartabedian Field.

Game One – Pitt 0, Florida State 10
Florida State had a hot start to the game, scoring five runs off three home runs in the first inning. The Seminoles scored two runs in both the second and third innings and scored the final run off a Michaela Edenfield homer to left field.

Desiree Martinez was the first Panther to reach base after drawing a walk in the bottom of the third. Kat Rodriguez extended her hitting streak to three games, recording the Panthers lone hit with a single to right field.

Game Two – Pitt 7, Florida State 17
The Seminoles had another hot start, hitting four home runs off their first five hits to take a 5-0 lead in the middle of the second inning. KK Esparza hit a single to the wall in right center and reached second after the centerfielder bobbled the throw. Ana Hernandez hit her second home run of the season, a two-run blast to center field, to make the score 5-2.

The Pitt bats came alive in the bottom of the third inning as Cami Compson duck KK Esparza joined the home run party. Amanda “Tuta” Ramirez started the rally with a single to right field. Ahmari Braden pinch ran for Ramirez and stole second base, setting the stage for Compson’s two-run homer just left of the scoreboard. Jordan George reached base on a Florida State fielding error and KK Esparza took the ball deep to center to reduce the deficit and make the score 8-6.

The Panthers had the game-tying runs aboard after Alena Ball and Rodriguez hit back-to-back singles and Macy Hamilton hit a sacrifice bunt to put both runs in scoring position. Ramirez battled in a nine pitch at bat, but the Panthers were not able to convert as the fourth inning ended on a strikeout.

Florida State hit two more home runs in the top of the fifth to extend the lead before George led off the bottom of the fifth with her first career home run.

Up Next
Pitt returns to Vartabedian Field on Tuesday with a midweek matchup against Miami (OH). First pitch is scheduled for 4 pm