Pitt Falls to Notre Dame, 7-5, in Game Two

Saturday, May 5

Notre Dame, Ind.

2 PM

Pitt

25-19, 10-13

Notre Dame

23-24, 12-14

Pittsburgh

Notre Dame

Pitt Falls to Notre Dame, 7-5, in Game Two

5/5/2018 5:31:00 PM | Baseball

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Maldonado’s Grand Slam Not Enough as Pitt Drops Series

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Pittsburgh baseball team fell in the second game of a three-game series at Notre Dame Saturday afternoon, earning a 7-5 loss at the hands of the Fighting Irish at Frank Eck Stadium.

For the second straight game the Panthers would again jump out to a considerable lead, taking a 5-0 advantage through four. Notre Dame would score a lone run in the fifth before putting up three spots in both the sixth and seventh innings to take the lead and secure the series.

"Both losses are tough," said head coach Joe Jordano. "Considering we had solid leads in both games, but we didn't do enough and Notre Dame did. Have to give them credit, they did what they had to do to win. We did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball, but came up short in th end. We have to keep battling and get a win tomorrow and get back on track."

It was a big inning for the Panthers as five runs came across as Pitt continued to excel in the fourth frame. Caleb Parry would lead off the inning with a one-out infield single, moving to third to put runners on the corners after a two-out infield single by Chris Cappas. A walk to Cole MacLaren would load things up as a walk to Connor Perry would bring home the first runner of the game. In the next at bat, Frank Maldonado would line his first career grand slam over the wall in left center, giving the Panthers a 5-0 lead.

One swing. Four runs. ?? Frank Maldonado ??

??: https://t.co/jZSlehhGiE #H2P #EarnIt pic.twitter.com/5nlhePW6WA
— Pitt Baseball (@Pitt_BASE) May 5, 2018

The lead would be cut to four in the fifth as back-to-back doubles allowed the Irish to break up the shutout. Notre Dame would plate three in each of the next two frames, taking a 7-5 lead.

The Panthers again loaded the bases in the eighth with two outs, as the first career double for Bryce O'Farrell, a hit by pitch to Cappas and a MacLaren walk would load them up. The Panthers, however, were unable to score as the Fighting Irish held on for the win.

The loss assures Notre Dame the series win as the Panthers snap a streak of four-straight series wins, which dated back to a two-game victory over Virginia March 30 – April 1.

Starter Matt Pidich earned a no decision, going 5.1 innings, allowing four runs off seven hits and one walk, fanning five. Chase Smith would enter the game and throw 0.1 inning of relief, while Peyton Reesman (0-1) earned the loss after going 0.1 inning, allowing two runs off two hits. Yaya Chentouf threw 1.1 inning of work, allowing a run off three hits, adding one strikeout, while TJ Pagan saw 0.2 innings of perfect relief.

Offensively, Maldonado was the highlight, going 1-4 with four RBI and a walk. Cappas put together a 2-3 outing with a run scored, while Liam Sabino, Parry and O'Farrell each tallied one hit.

The Panthers and Fighting Irish will close things out tomorrow in the finale, set to take place at 1 p.m. at Frank Eck Stadium. Redshirt junior Blair Calvo is expected to get the start on the mound for the Panthers.

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