Senior Jessica Dignon broke the school record for career and single-season doubles during the University of Pittsburgh softball team's 5-3 loss to Syracuse Saturday at Trees Field.

Dignon, a Baldwin High School graduate, recorded her double in the third inning with a one-out shot to left field. That double marked her 14th of the season, which surpassed her 13 doubles last season.

It was also her 42nd career double that eclipsed the 41 tallied by Francesca DiMaria, who played for the Panthers from 2002-05.

The Panthers are 27-20 overall and 10-8 in the Big East, good for seventh place in the 12-team league.

Earley breaks another record

For the second consecutive week, Allegheny College senior thrower Liz Earley broke her own school record in the hammer throw, while competing against the top Division I throwers from throughout the country, at the 2008 Penn Relays hosted by the University of Pennsylvania.

Earley, a Peters Township High School graduate, finished fifth in the event behind strictly Division I competition. Not only did her throw of 182 feet, 6¹/₂ inches top her mark set the previous week at a meet at IUP, it also gave her the furthest toss in NCAA Division III this season.

"The Penn Relays are known as the granddaddy of them all," Gators coach Bill Ross said. "The cream of the crop is here and it is amazing to see Liz finish this high and to put up another big PR. This throw puts her on a whole different level all together."

Bethel grad wins title

Bethel Park High School graduate Lauren Spegal, a senior at Bethany College, won her second consecutive Presidents' Athletic Conference title in the shot put Saturday at the PAC championship meet, which took place at Washington & Jefferson College's Cameron Stadium.

Spegal's best throw of 38 feet, 8³/₄ inches took first place by nearly 2 feet.

Spegal was the only Bethany athlete to win a conference title at the meet.