Box Score Isabella DePalma and Mia Smith each connected for two run home runs in the top of the eighth to break a scoreless tie and lift Pitt-Johnstown to a 4-0 victory over Wheeling (WV) to close out the weekend trip to Salem, Va.  The Mountain Cats went 3-1 over the four games to improve to 6-5.
 
Smith and Wheeling's Kaylin Shields locked up in a scoreless pitching duel until Pitt-Johnstown got the bats going in the top of the eighth.  Meghan McDonough was placed on second base to start the inning, and DePalma gave the Mountain Cats the lead with a one-out, two-run homer.  Jessica Pugh then doubled and Smith followed two batters later with a two-run shot that gave Pitt-Johnstown two more insurance runs.
 
Smith took the circle in the bottom of the eight and worked out a first and third jam with two fly outs to lock up the Mountain Cat victory.
 
Smith tossed all eight innings, scattered six hits, and didn't give up a run to improve to 3-2.  Smith also struck out six.
 
DePalma went 3-for-4 with the two-run home run, while Smith helped her own cause with a homer, and Audrey Paterson added two hits in four at bats for Pitt-Johnstown.
 
Shields took the loss for the Cardinals, now 4-14, after allowing the four runs in the eighth.
 
Pitt-Johnstown is scheduled to make its 2026 home debut with a non-conference doubleheader against Salem (WV) on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Pitt-Johnstown Softball Field, before beginning PSAC West-play at Indiana (PA) on Friday.