'Cuse Falls to Pitt

Friday, April 3

Pittsburgh, Pa.

3 PM

Syracuse University

12-15, 1-8

Pittsburgh

19-17, 5-9

Syracuse

Pitt

4/3/2026 5:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Highlights

PITTSBURGH, Pa.- The Orange softball team (12-15, 1-8) narrowly fell to Pitt (19-17, 5-9), 6-5 in the second game of the series on the road. Madison Knight recorded a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Panthers.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers struck first, as Pitt's Gracie Heaton scored on a sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the second inning.

Syracuse answered back in the top of the third. Lauren Fox drew a walk to land on first base and would go on to steal second base. Jadyn Burney followed with a walk as well. Madelyn Lopez stepped up to the plate, singled to left field and sent Fox home from second base to score. Burney landed on third base and Lopez advanced to second on the play. During Knight's at-bat, Burney scored on a wild pitch, giving Syracuse a 2-1 lead.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases at the bottom of the fourth inning. A runner scored after Mackenzie Reese drew a walk. At the plate, KK Esparza hit a grand slam to add four runs to the board for the Panthers, regaining the lead, 6-2.

In the top of the fifth inning, Burney drew a walk. Lopez singled up the middle, advancing Burney from first to third. Lopez went on to reach second base in the same play as Knight stepped up to the plate. The designated hitter sent the ball flying over the left field fence, adding three runs to the board. The Orange were unable to add to the score, ultimately falling to the Panthers 6-5.

OF NOTE

Madison Knight hit her eighth home run of the season, and 22nd in her career.
Knight drove in three runs for her sixth multi-RBI game of the season and her second consecutive game batting multiple runners in.
Madelyn Lopez had two hits in today's game for her fourth multi-hit game of the season.
Julianna Verni (4) and Sydney Jackson (2) combined for six strikeouts.
Catcher Grace Weaver led the team in putouts, tallying six.

UP NEXT

Syracuse will face the Panthers for the series finale on Saturday, Apr. 4. The first pitch is slated for 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

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