April 29, 2008

Box Score

PITTSBURGH--The Pitt baseball team traveled to Schoonover Stadium on the campus of Kent State University this afternoon to square off in a non-conference match. The Panthers played valiantly for nine innings, but could not muster enough offense to get past Kent State and fell by a count of 9-2.

The Golden Flashes drew first blood with a two-run first inning, but Pitt (14-25, 6-12) was able to answer in the second with a run of its own in the second. A Joe Leonard (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville) lead-off single through the left side was followed by a Chris Warner (West Seneca, N.Y./University of South Carolina) base knock through the right side. After a Jordan Herr (Lancaster, Pa./Delaware) sacrifice groundout, Nick Mullins (Brick, N.J./Brookdale CC) reached on an error that allowed Leonard to score and cut the Kent State lead in half.

KSU sandwiched three runs in the fourth and another in the fifth between a Pitt unearned run in the top of the fifth to pull away from the Panthers. The Golden Flashes then set the final with a three-run flurry in the eighth while keeping Pitt's offense at bay.

Kent State hurler Steve Ross picked up the win, while Mike Wood (Endicott, N.Y./Union Endicott) was saddled with his third loss of the year. Matt Litzinger (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) paced Pitt at the plate by going 2-4, while Sean Conley (Chippewa, Pa./Blackhawk) was 2-5. Danny Lopez (Queens, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) and Mullins tallied the RBI for the Panthers.

Pitt will be back in action tomorrow when the welcome Cleveland State to Trees Field. First pitch is scheduled at 6 p.m.