University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Baseball Sweeps Villanova in Doubleheader
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 3, 1999
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh baseball team took on Villanova in a Big East Conference doubleheader today at Trees Field. The Panthers won a close decision, 8-7, in game one, and rallied from a nine-run deficit to claim the second game, 15-11. They improve to 16-11 overall, 6-2 in the conference.
Pittsburgh jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after one inning in game one. Senior first baseman Steve Dickinson (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) doubled to center field, driving in sophomore Joe Lydic (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) and senior Lou Melucci (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) for two runs. An error by Villanova's first baseman Dave Pizzini scored Panther freshman Brad Rea (Gibsonia, Pa./North Allegheny).
Villanova and Pittsburgh each scored one run in the third, before the Panthers made the score 6-1 after four innings. The Wildcats had a four-run fifth inning that began a rally for Villanova. Heading into the top of the seventh and last inning, Pittsburgh held an 8-5 lead. The Wildcats' designated hitter Rob Cafiero singled to center field for two runs batted in. Panther relief pitcher Josh Knauff (Union City, Pa./Union City), struck out the last two batters with the bases loaded to clinch the win for Pittsburgh and record the save.
In game two of the doubleheader, Villanova grabbed an 11-2 lead after just three innings. Melucci singled in the first inning, making him Pittsburgh's new all-time career hits recordholder with 159. He finished the day at 162 with seven hits in nine at-bats, including three doubles, one triple and four RBI. Melucci holds a current batting average of .311 (.563 versus Big East opponents).
The Panthers began to rally in the bottom of the fourth as they scored four runs, beginning with a run by senior Chris Delsignore (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) scored on a ground out by catcher Doug Caraway (Baltimore, Md./Chesapeake). A double by Melucci then drove in senior left fielder Jason Oliver (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville), before Lydic homered to center field for two more RBI.
Four runs in the fifth saw Pittburgh within one. Both Delsignore and Oliver added two more runs to the board, while Melucci recorded his second RBI of the day as he drove in sophomore Mike Pokrzywinksi (Murraysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) on a double. Lydic added a sacrifice fly for an RBI to make the score 11-10.
The Panthers took the lead in the bottom of the seventh after scoring four more runs. The rally was sparked by back-to-back triples by Pokrzywinski and Melucci that scored two runs. Lydic then hit his second homerun of the game to put Pittsburgh ahead by three. In the eighth inning, Delsignore added one more run when he attempted to steal home and was called safe at the plate on a balk by Villanova's pitcher, Brian Manning.
Knauff was once again called in as a reliever and earned his first win of the season. He gave up only on hit in six and one-third innings while facing 22 batters.
The Panthers return to Big East action when they host rival West Virginia on Wednesday, April 7, at Trees Field. Game time is 3 p.m.
