April 27, 2008

Box Score - Game One

Box Score - Game Two

PITTSBURGH--The Pitt baseball team concluded a three-game series with Big East opponent Georgetown when the two teams engaged in a double header on Saturday at Trees Field. Pitt jumped out to an early lead in game one and used a seven-run fifth inning to coast to a 17-11 victory, while the Hoyas returned the favor in game two, avoiding a series sweep with a 7-4 decision to cap the weekend.

Pitt struck quickly in game one when Dan Williams (Berwyn, Pa./Episcopal Academy) knocked a Michael Gaggioli offering over the fencing in right field for the first of his two home runs in the contest. The solo shot marked Williams' third of the season and gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

Head coach Joe Jordano's squad would add two more runs in the second and another in the third before the Hoyas responded in the top of the fourth with a five-run outburst that was highlighted by a Matt Iannetta single to right field that plated two of his teammates.

The Panthers would answer in the fifth with a seven-run effort that featured Williams' second longball, a two run shot to right, and put them back in the lead for good.

Pitt added three more tallies in the sixth and after a scoreless seventh frame the offensive fireworks returned in the form of back-to-back-to-back home runs from Nick Mullins (Brick, N.J./Brookdale CC), Jordan Herr (Lancaster, Pa./Delaware) and Chris Warner (West Seneca, N.Y./University of South Carolina) off of Georgetown reliever Billy Concannon. The Hoyas did manage to muster five runs in the top of the ninth, but it would not be enough and the Panthers locked down the victory.

In game two it was Georgetown that got off to a quick start with a solo home run, as Erick Fernandez connected with a Corey Baker (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South) offering in the top of the second to give the Hoyas a lead that they never relinquished. The Panthers allowed two more runs before tallying their first of the game in the fourth inning when John Schultz (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson West Lawn) walked with the bases loaded, allowing Joe Leonard (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville) to stroll in from third base.

Pitt closed to within a run in the eighth inning, but a three-run top of the ninth by Georgetown put the game just out of reach. A Sean Conley (Chippewa, Pa/Blackhawk) solo shot to right field was the only offense the Panthers could manufacture in their final at bat, which set the final at 7-4.

Pitt will be back in action on Tuesday in Kent, Ohio, where they will play a non-conference game with Kent State before returning to Trees Field for a showdown with Cleveland State on Wednesday at 6 p.m.