After nearly a full year without playing a game due to COVID-19, the Pitt-Johnstown softball team finally took the field on Friday with a pair of non-conference games at Fairmont State (WV) University. The Falcons were able to take the opener, 9-1, before completing the sweep with an 8-7, nine-inning, victory in the nightcap.
Taylor Mendicino collected five hits in the doubleheader, while
Bree Ginther added three hits, two RBI, and three runs for the Mountain Cats.
In game one, Ginther went 1-for-3 with a run, and Mendicino had a hit and drove in Pitt-Johnstown's run.
Kristen Coffay suffered the loss after pitching all six innings. Coffay allowed nine runs on eight hits. She struck out one.
The Mountain Cats got the bats going in game two, but Fairmont State was able to secure the 8-7, extra inning victory.
Mendicino was 4-for-5 with a run scored, and
Stacey Walling had three hits in five at-bats with an RBI and a run scored. Pitt-Johnstown also got two hits, two RBI, and two runs from Ginther, two hits, a pair of RBI, and a run from
Olivia Porter, and two hits and an RBI from
Carly Santillo.
Alyssa Hileman had a hit and scored a run, and
Cassidy Kern chipped-in a hit for the Mountain Cats.
Ashley Pagliei tossed all nine innings in the circle for Pitt-Johnstown. Pagliei surrendered eight runs on eight hits, while striking out three.
With the sweep, the Falcons improved to 4-0 to start the season.
Pitt-Johnstown is scheduled to play its first home games of 2021 and open PSAC-West play with a doubleheader against Edinboro University, Friday afternoon at V.E. Erickson Complex. The Mountain Cats will then complete the four-game conference series in Edinboro on March 13.
