University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Pittsburgh
Sanders & Reeves Lead #24 Softball Over Pittsburgh, 2-1
February 07, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 7, 2009
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Behind a strong performance on the mound from Bailey Sanders and 2 RBI from Sarah Reeves, #24 UMass softball won its second game of the day on Saturday at the FAU "Kickoff" Classic in Boca Raton, Fla., defeating Pittsburgh, 2-1. In the morning, UMass opened the day's action by downing Long Island, 8-0. The Minutewomen improve to 3-1 on the season and will play their final game of the tournament on Sunday when they take on #5/8 Michigan (4-0) at 9 a.m.
Sanders went the distance, pitching seven innings, allowing only one run on four hits. The junior right-hander struck out four and walked three to improve her record to 1-1. Pittsburgh's Cory Berliner allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out three to take the loss.
The first two UMass batters of the game scored both Minutewomen runs. Carly Normandin led off the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle that was immediately followed by an infield single off the bat of Whitney Williams. Whitney Mollica's sacrifice bunt moved the runners up to second and third before Reeves drove in both with a single down the right field line.
UMass had back-to-back singles in both the third and fourth innings, but all four runners were stranded.
The Panthers' run came in the fifth when Kristen Cheesebrew led off with a triple to left-center and later scored on a two-out single by Ashley Amistade.
Pitt threatened in the seventh when Cheesebrew drew a leadoff walk and was bunted over to second, but Sanders got a strikeout to make it two outs. The game ended when a groundball was hit to shortstop and interference was called on Cheesebrew as Williams tried to field it.
Pittsburgh is coached by UMass alum Holly Aprile. Aprile was a 1992 All-American playing for Elaine Sortino. She ranks third all-time at UMass in pitching victories with 77 and eighth in career batting average at .345.
