April 5, 2008

Box Score

PITTSBURGH--Sophomore Kayla Zinger pitched her first-career no-hitter to lift the Pitt softball team to a 1-0 win and earn the split against Connecticut, this afternoon as Trees Field. The Panthers improved to 18-13 on the season and 4-2 in the Big East, while the Huskies slipped to 12-13 on the year and 2-2 in the conference.

Zinger (Phoenix, Ariz./Sunnyslope) pitched Pitt's first no-hitter since Nikki Gasti (1999-2003) threw a no-hitter against Charlotte on Feb. 23, 2003. This is the sixth-ever no-hitter for Pitt and she becomes just the fourth Panther to accomplish this feat in a seven-inning game.

Nearly a perfect game, she allowed just one walk, struck out six batters and recorded three assists. Zinger improved to 7-6 on the mound and boasts a 1.67 ERA. The shutout was her second of the season and the squad's eighth.

Pitt recorded its lone run in the first inning after freshman Reba Tutt (Culpeper, Va./Highland) was walked with bases loaded. Senior Mary Hecker (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) scored on the play, posting her eighth run of the season.

Pitt is now 9-2 when scoring in the first inning.

Zinger got a lot of help defensively as senior Kelly Stiles (Thurmont, Md./Catocin) dived for a line down the left line for the third out of the fourth inning. Additionally, senior Jessica Dignon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Tutt ran in make catches in shallow territory during the game.

Pitt hosts a doubleheader against Providence at Trees Field on Sunday, at noon.