Pitt Downs Syracuse With Timely Hitting & Worms, 2-1

No, that wasn’t an error in the headline. The Pittsburgh Panthers (8-38, 3-14) secured their 3rd ACC win of the season with a little help from...worms. Redshirt sophomore Brittany Knight throwing a one hit, one run complete game gem certainly was a big part of it. Of course junior catcher Walker Barbee batted in both the teams runs on her hit to center field in the top of the 6th inning, but let’s stay on topic here.

Alexee Haynes ate at least one worm on a dare prior the game starting and the rest was history.

I’ve heard of a lot of different things that players do to keep their teammates loose prior to a game, but this certainly takes the cake, or in this case, worm. We’ll have to wait and see if the junior continues this today as the Panthers conclude their road series against the Syracuse Orange. Superstitions runs pretty deep in baseball and softball, so it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if it continues.

Regardless, we do know that every Pitt player will be giving it all they’ve got to try and secure their 9th win and their first conference series victory. If you’ve been following the team over the course of the season then you know it hasn’t gone as many expected, at least in terms of wins and losses.

Still, this team is together. Of course you need a special group of players to make that happen, but you also need a strong coaching staff. Credit head coach Jodi Hermanek for keeping everyone moving in the same direction.

Good coaches know when to put their foot on the gas, but great ones know when to take their foot off it. That doesn’t mean she isn’t trying to win every game. Just that she understands the value of camaraderie before the second game of a road series during a holiday weekend. Although, I am sure she wouldn’t have guessed that eating worms would be a “factor” in her team tying the series against Syracuse.

Knight and Barbee spoke after the game: