University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Baseball Sweeps Big East Weekly Honors
4/7/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Baseball Sweeps Big East Weekly Honors
4/7/1999
PITTSBURGH-Three University of Pittsburgh baseball players earned Big East Conference Player of the Week honors for their efforts during the week of March 29, in which the Panthers defeated Canisius (8-2, 5-3) and Villanova (8-7, 15-11), and split a doubleheader with Georgetown (8-12, 13-0).
Senior second baseman Lou Melucci (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) was named the conference's Co-Player of the Week after outstanding appearances at the plate against Georgetown and Villanova. He became Pittsburgh's all-time leader in hits in game two of a double header against the Wildcats. He now has 162 career hits, surpassing the previous mark of 158 (Brian Lohman, 1985-89), and has 33 on the season. He went 7-9 against Villanova, while recording a combined six runs batted in, three doubles, one triple, one home run and six runs scored in the two Big East matchups.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Josh Knauff (Union City, Pa./Union City) turned in four relief performances for the Panthers while recording two saves and one win to earn him Co-Pitcher of the Week honors. He was a key factor in the sweep over Villanova. Knauff entered game one in the last inning (seventh), striking out the final two batters with bases loaded to clinch the 8-7 win for Pittsburgh. In the nightcap versus the Wildcats, he came in relief with the Panthers down 11-2. Knauff pitched 6.1 innings, giving up only one hit and holding Villanova scoreless as Pittsburgh rallied for a 15-11 comeback win. He currently leads the Big East in conference matchups with a 0.00 earned run average.
Freshman right-fielder Mike Gonda (Ruffs Dale, Pa./Yough) rounded out the honors as he was named Rookie of the Week. He hit .875 versus Georgetown with four RBI, two home runs and five runs scored. Earlier in the week against Canisius, Gonda went 4-5 with two runs scored, four RBI and two home runs. He is currently fourth on the team in batting average (.374) and second in home runs (five).
