Pitt softball wins third straight ACC series, taking doubleheader from Virginia Tech

The Pitt softball team continued its roll in ACC play, taking both games over the weekend from Virginia Tech. Both games were played on Friday as part of a doubleheader with Saturday’s game canceled due to inclement weather.

The Panthers won both games with strong pitching performances. Virginia Tech actually hit the ball well in Game 1, recording seven hits, but still fell 4-1 as they weren’t able to string enough together against starter Sarah Dawson. The catalyst was McKayla Taylor, who reached base in all four of her plate appearances with two hits and two walks. She also scored all four of the team’s runs.

Pitt’s didn’t accumulate many hits in Game 2 but still won that one, 4-0. Virginia Tech’s pitcher struck out a ton of batters in that game but also struggled with control. She walked three batters in the first inning and hit a fourth as the Panthers took a 2-0 lead before adding two more runs late. Pitt pitcher Kayla Harris threw a shutout, scattering four hits.

As the season continues, I’ve been keeping an eye on the ACC. How the conference finishes will be something to watch as, currently, only Florida State is ranked (No. 14). The Panthers could finish well in the conference but would have its NCAA tournament chances helped by a few other teams emerging.

The ACC start is encouraging for the team. The Panthers are now 17-11-1 overall and at 6-2 in conference are second in the Coastal Division and third overall in the ACC. Pitt will face Ohio in a mid-week game before a home series against Duke (17-14) next weekend.

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