University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Baseball Hosts Series With St. John's
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 4, 1998
PITTSBURGH vs. ST. JOHN'S Three-Game Series April 4-5, 1998 Trees Field (500) Pittsburgh, Pa.
Last Meeting: The teams last met April 20, 1997, in Jamaica, N.Y., when the Red Storm swept a three-game series.
In the first game of the series, Pittsburgh took and early lead, but allowed St. John's to tie in the bottom of the sixth, and the Red Storm scored one in the bottom of the seventh to capture the victory, 4-3.
In the nightcap, St. John's started with an 11-run first inning, but Pittsburgh fought back, scoring 10 at their last run at the plate. Lou Melucci blasted a three-run homer over the left center field fence, but Pittsburgh could not generate enough runs and lost, 19-14.
St. John's took the third game of the series, 14-5.
COACHES CORNER:
Pittsburgh Panthers: Head coach Joe Jordano joins the Panthers this year from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., where he became the school's all-time winningest coach with a 285-114-1 10-year record. His .713 winning percentage ranks seventh among active NCAA Division II coaches.
Five of his teams have been ranked in the Top 25 and went on to the NCAA Tournament, and two captured the GLIAC Championship. In addition, Jordano has twice been named the league's Coach of the Year (1996 and 1997) and the Louisville Slugger Coach of the Year (1995).
A 1985 graduate of Westminster College, Jordano received his master's degree from Slippery Rock in 1994. Jordano is assisted by Joel Dombkowski and Lou Schaper.
St. John's Red Storm: Ed Blankmeyer is in his third year with the Red Storm where he has compiled a 61-35 record, including last year's successful 26-18 overall and 14-10 Big East records and 2nd-place American Division league finish. Blankmeyer is assisted by Kevin McMullan, Mike Maerten and Bob Pertsas.
Success in Big East Premiere: First-year head coach Joe Jordano captured his first Big East conference victory with a 5-1 win against Georgetown March 22. In his previous coaching position, Jordano dominated the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC), guiding the Mercyhurst Lakers to the league championship each season since the Lakers became aligned with the conference (1996 and 1997).
Academics First: Eight members of the Pittsburgh Panther baseball team were honored March 19 when they were named Bell Atlantic Scholar-Athletes for achieving a 3.0 grade-point average or better. They are: Chris Guth, Ron Janicki, Richard Klick, Greg Paul, Eric Rosing, John Schultz, Jeff Sofran and Steve Varshine.
In addition eight members of the 1997 squad who did not return this year were honored, including Kevin Knox, who achieved a 4.0 GPA last spring.
Weather Woes: Since returning from near-perfect weather in Homestead, Fla., the Panthers had six games cancelled due to inclement weather and unplayable fields (Ohio State, three games, March 13-14; Duquesne, March 18; and Villanova, doubleheader, March 21). A double-header against Ohio State is tentatively rescheduled for May 7.
Hometown Proud: All but two players on the 1998 Panther squad are Pennsylvania natives, Kevin Foley, (Ontario, Canada) and Steve Varshine (Louisville, Ky.). Varshine, however, is originally from Pittsburgh. In addition, 14 of the 28 Pennsylvania natives are from Pittsburgh or a nearby suburb.
Steady Improvement: The Panthers have almost steadily improved their batting average since it sank to a season-low .221 after a 14-7 loss to Chicago State March 7 in Homestead, Fla. Since the West Virginia contest March 31, in which Pittsburgh had a season-high 17 hits, the team batting average is .256.
Strike Zone: Pittsburgh's pitching staff was ranked second in the conference with a 4.45 ERA as of Monday, March 30.
Loaded Guns: The Panthers are hitting .467 with the bases loaded. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's defense has held its opponents to a .304 batting average when the bases are loaded.
Double Trouble: The Panthers have turned 21 double plays against their opponents compared to 19 for their competition.
Bag Burglers: Pittsburgh has gathered 24-of-33 stolen base attempts, and its opponents have recorded 32-42. The Panthers recorded eight stolen bases to Duquesne's one in their last meeting March 31, including a triple steal which allowed a Panther run to score.
Hitting Lefties: Pittsburgh's batting average against left-handed pitchers is .265 compared to a .244 average versus right-handed pitchers.
Home Run Status: Pittsburgh's opponents have recorded nine home runs this season, and the Panthers have only hit five. Last season at this time (April 3, 1997) the Panthers owned their opponents in home runs, 26-13. However, the 1997 squad had played seven more games than the 1998 team at this point in the season.
Just Hit It: Against Duquesne March 31, the Panthers put up their best performance at the plate of the season. Pittsburgh scored 15 runs on 17 hits, both season-highs.
D is for Defense: Pittsburgh's defense was impressive against Duquesne March 31. Five of the Dukes' six runs were solo home runs. The Panther defense only allowed two other hits while racking up 17 of their own.
Getting It DONE: Pittsburgh is doing its job on the mound, holding its competition to a .178 batting average with two outs and a .265 average with a runner in scoring position. Meanwhile, when the Panthers are at the plate, they have recorded a .223 batting average on two outs and a .284 average with a runner in scoring position.
PLAYER NOTES
Top of the Order: Pittsburgh's leadoff hitter, Chris Delsignore has recorded eight RBI's and a double so far this season, and is third on the team with seven walks. Delsignore holds a five-game hitting streak since the Rutgers series March 28-29.
Candadian Club: Kevin Foley, one of two Panthers not from Pennsylvania, has stepped up to the plate 51 times this season and has compiled a .255 batting average. Prior to the Rutgers series, Foley had earned a .324 batting average. As the leadoff hitter, Foley hits his best, averaging .455. Foley has recorded 13 hits, including a triple, two double, six RBI's and two sacrifices. Foley also leads the squad with 12 walks and has succeeded on four of his five stolen base attempts, including a run scored when he stole home on a triple steal against Duquesne March 31. As the Panthers' center fielder, Foley has registered 26 putouts and two assists for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Cheers for Charlie: Charlie Stafford has entered the Panther lineup with a bang and a six-game hitting streak. His .371 batting average ranks first on the team, and he is 13-for-35 with two doubles and seven RBI's.
Slugging Sensation: Pittsburgh's designated hitter, Bill Brown, holds a team-best .559 slugging percentage and and is second on the squad with 20 hits, including two homers, two triples, three doubles and a team-high 13 RBI's. His .339 batting average ranks second on the squad. As the leadoff hitter, Brown has hit .583 and .500 with two outs.
What a Game: Among several impressive individual Panther performances against Duquesne March 31, Harry Ciavarella went 4-for-4 at the plate, including a triple, double and three RBI's. Ciavarella also scored two runs and had a perfect game at second base. Short Stuff: Louis Melucci, the Panthers' starting shortstop, has recorded a team-best 21 hits, including three against Duquesne March 31, and has contributed two home runs, four doubles, a triple and nine RBI's. Meluuci's .304 batting average is fourth on the team, and he holds a four-game hitting streak.
In the field, Melucci has recorded a team-high 66 putout assists and 25 putouts. He has also been involved in 10 double plays.
A Tall Order: Standing 6-5, junior first baseman Steve Dickinson is the tallest Panther on the squad. Dickinson is first on the team with 113 putouts, has been involved in 10 double-plays and holds a .968 fielding percentage. Offensively, Dickinson, who holds the all-time season home run record with 13, is second with 12 RBI's, and has hit one homer and three doubles.
All Oliver: Junior Jason Oliver is third on the team with a .333 batting average, including three doubles and 11 RBI's. In the field, Oliver has registered 50 putouts for a .962 fielding percentage.
Help From Hoopes: As the Panthers' starting catcher, sophomore David Hoopes has posted a .984 fielding percentage so far this season with a team-best 110 putouts and 14 assists. He has also prevented a team-high eight baserunners from stealing. Against Duquesne March 25, Hoopes recorded his first stolen base, had one hit, an RBI's and scored two runs.
A Harry Situation: At second base, Harry Ciavarella has assisted in a team-high 11 double plays. His 41 putout assists rank second on the squad. At the plate, Ciavarella has hit a triple, five doubles and 11 RBI's. Against Duquesne March 31, Ciavarella went a remarkable 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI's.
Strikeout Savvy: Chris Gallick leads the squad with 22 strikeouts this season, and John Schultz is second with 19. Gallick struck out eight batters in six innings against Duquesne March 31 and has pitched 26 innings in five appearances so far. Against Rutgers March 28, Schultz pitched his first and the team's second complete game of the season.
Going the Distance: Senior pitcher Bob Balazentis (0-1) leads Pittsburgh's pitching staff with a 0.84 ERA and is third with 15 strikeouts. He also recorded the first complete game pitched for Pittsburgh this season against Eastern Michigan March 3. In the 4-3 loss, he gave up only four hits and one run, and struck out seven batters.
CONFERENCE NOTES
Recently Ranked: Lazeski is ranked second in individual pitching (minimun 1.0 IP/Team game) in the Big East as of Monday, March 23. Boston College's Paul Bibbo is first with a 0.75 ERA.
Pittsburgh's pitching staff is ranked second in overall pitching as of Monday, March 23 with a 4.45 ERA. The Panthers have improved to a 4.41 ERA since their contest against Duquesne this past Wednesday. West Virginia leads the league with a 3.68 overall ERA.
Bill Brown is ranked sixth in the Big East with 0.18 triples per game (2 total) as of Monday, March 23.
SCOUTING SJU
For the Record: The Red Storm are 9-8-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the Big East Conference. SJU opened league play in a three-game series against West Virginia March 28-29. In a doubleheader March 28, WVU won, 2-1, and lost, 9-1, in the second game. The Mountaineers captured the final series game, 4-3, March 29.
Ones to Watch: Mike Zurilla holds a team-best .397 batting average, including five doubles, two triples, two home runs and 12 RBI's. Zurilla also leads the squad with 13 stolen bases.
John Ramento is fourth on the team with a .360 batting average, including four doubles, five sacrifices and 13 RBI's.
Tyrone Payne has recorded a team-high five home runs. Payne is batting .311 and has recorded a team-best 23 hits, including six doubles.
John Niebling holds a team-best 1.74 ERA and 2-1 record. Niebling has recorded eigth strikeouts in 10 and one-third innings.
Patrick Rollins leads the team with 36 strikeouts in 26 and one-third innings. Rollins is 1-1 with a 6.84 ERA.
