University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Baseball Captures Second Season Win Against Duquesne
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh baseball team captured a 15-6 victory over crosstown-rival Duquesne this afternoon at Trees Field, marking the Panthers' second win against the Dukes this season.
The Panthers recorded season-highs of 17 hits, 14 RBI's and eight stolen bases while improving their record to 6-10 overall (1-4 Big East Conference). In comparison, the Dukes only registered seven hits, six RBI's and one stolen base. Freshman Matt Irvin (Derry, Pa./Derry Area) seized his first career win, pitching two and a third innings and giving up one hit, no runs, two walks and striking out two batters. Duquesne's Brian Lowder (1-1) picked up the loss for Duquesne after pitching one-third inning in the seventh while giving up four hits, four runs and one walk.
Pittsburgh scored two runs on a base hit by Steve Dickinson (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) to take a 5-3 lead in the fifth. Then, with the bases loaded, Kevin Foley (Burlington, Ontario, Canada/Notre Dame) stole home on a triple steal for his third stolen base of the season.
Chris Gallick (Mt. Pleasant, Pa./Mt. Pleasant) started on the mound for the Panthers and recorded eight strikeouts, but Steve Kubicek (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) came in relief at the top of the seventh after Duquesne's Will Swisher hit his second and team's sixth solo home run of the game early in the sixth, tying it at six runs a piece.
The Panthers dominated the ensuing two and a half innings, running a 9-2 scoring drive to seal the victory.
Harry Ciavarella (Moscow, Pa./North Pocono) went 4-for-4 at the plate, including a triple, two doubles and three RBI's, and scored two runs. Lou Melucci (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) and Bill Brown (Deer Lakes, Pa./Deer Lakes) were also impressive for the Panthers. Melucci went 3-for-5 with a triple and a double, and scored a game-high four runs. Brown was 3-for-6 with three RBI's. Jason Oliver (Coatsville, Pa./Coatsville Senior) and Dickinson also had multiple hits, going 2-for-5 and 2-for-4, respectively. Each recorded two RBI's.
Pittsburgh travels to West Virginia Wednesday, April 1 for its next Big East contest at 5 p.m.
