Jamaica, N.Y.  Behind an outstanding pitching performance by freshman Meghan Allman (San Diego, Calif.), and a strong defensive showing, the St. Johns University softball team earned its first two BIG EAST wins of the year. In game one, Allman posted a no-hit shutout, giving the Red Storm a 1-0 victory. St. Johns improved to 12-20-1 overall and 2-4 in the conference with a 7-0 win in the second game.

Game one was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman Jillian Sandoval (Orange, Calif.) led off with a single to right field. Senior Tiffany Howerton (Escondido, Calif.) advanced the pinch runner senior Chrissy Wellington (Lee, Mass.) to second with a sacrifice bunt. Wellington moved to third on wild pitch and scored the game winning run on an RBI single to left field by freshman Allina Sainz (San Diego, Calif.).

Allman (12-17) finished her second no-hitter of the season with 10 strikeouts, two walks and one hit batter. For Pittsburgh, Gasti allowed one earned run on six hits while striking out six in six innings of work.

In the second game, Howerton would get the Red Storm started with a two-run home run over the right center fence in the bottom of the first inning. Howerton, still the only St. Johns player to hit one out of the new Red Storm Field, drove in Sandoval who had reached on a fielders choice.

St. Johns would add to its 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Senior Kelly Houghton (Millsboro, Del.) led off the inning with a single, followed by walks by senior Cecelia Baston (Falmouth, Maine) and senior Alesha Argeras (Warren, Ohio) to load the bases. Junior Jessica Shepherd (Akron, Ohio) sent a single through the left side to drive in Houghton. With two out, Howerton reached on an error by the Pittsburgh third baseman and Baston scored. The Red Storm had a 4-0 lead after two.

For the Panthers, Blesso allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits in two innings. Pepe pitched the final four for Pittsburgh, giving up eight hits for three runs, two earned, and striking out three. Allman earned her second win of the day, allowing seven hits and one walk with six strikeouts in seven innings.

The Red Storm return to action on Wednesday, April 10 at 2:30pm when they travel to Storrs, Conn. to battle the University of Connecticut in BIG EAST action.