University of Pittsburgh Athletics
On Deck This Week
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 29, 1998
Wednesday, April 29
at West Virginia 7 p.m.
Big East Contest
Thursday, April 30
at Akron 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
vs. Seton Hall Noon
Big East Doubleheader-Trees Field
Sunday, May 3
vs. Seton Hall Noon
Big East Contest-Trees Field
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. Jordano could break the 300-career victories mark in 1998.
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.
Graduation Situation: Seniors Chris Gallick, Eric Rosing and Jeff Sofran took their final final exams and graduated Sunday, April 26 at Pitt's commencement ceremony at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.
In addition to their successes on the diamond, Rosing and Sofran were multiple recipients of the Bell Atlantic Scholar-Athlete Award, and Sofran was named a Pittsburgh Scholar-Athlete.
A Final Break: Pittsburgh had a week without competition due to final exams. Its last game before the break was a doubleheader against Notre Dame at Three Rivers Stadium.
April Showers: Two contests from the five-game homestand played at Three Rivers Stadium were canceled due to heavy rains and inclement weather. Pittsburgh was scheduled to face Kent State Thursday, April 16 and a third game against Notre Dame Sunday, April 19. A doubleheader may be played May 5 as a make-up game when Pittsburgh travels to KSU.
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.
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.
Strike Zone: The Panthers have led their opponents in strikeouts through most of the season. Since the doubleheader against Notre Dame, however, Pittsburgh trails, 209-195. Pittsburgh remains tied with its opponents in pickoffs at five a piece.
In the conference, Pittsburgh ranks fifth in team pitching with a 5.39 ERA as of Monday, April 27. St. John's leads the league with a 3.53 ERA.
Home Run Status: Pittsburgh's opponents have recorded 24 home runs this season, and the Panthers have only hit 11.
Last season at this time (April 28, 1997) the Panthers owned their opponents in home runs, 41-30. However, the 1997 squad had played 10 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.
Pittsburgh's best batting performance in the league was against West Virginia April 15 when the team went 13-for-38, including two doubles and two triples.
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.
Hitting Halted: Chris Delsignore and Charlie Stafford recorded the longest hitting streaks for the Panthers so far this season. Their seven-game strings were halted in contests against Duquesne and Providence, respectively.
PLAYER NOTES Top of the Order: Pittsburgh's leadoff hitter, Chris Delsignore has recorded 12 RBI's, two doubles and two triples so far this season, and is second on the team with 15 walks. Delsignore has reached a base better than 61 percent of his 31 opportunities as the leadoff hitter. As a base runner, he has recorded six stolen bases, which ranks second on the squad.
In the field, Delsignore has recorded 45 putouts, the second most of any outfielder. Jason Oliver leads with 126 putouts, but he has also seen considerable time at first base.
Canadian Sensation: Kevin Foley, one of two Panthers not from Pennsylvania, has recorded 17 hits, including a triple, two doubles, eight RBI's and two sacrifices. Foley also leads the squad with 16 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 36 putouts and two assists.
Allentown Surprise: Darrin Lenhart, from Allentown, Pa., has been a pleasant surprise at third base since entering the lineup April 7 against Youngstown. Lenhart's stats are comparable to many of his teammates' who have been playing the entire season.
In the past 11 games, Lenhart has gone 7-for-35 at the plate with six runs, two walks, 11 RBI's two triples and two sacrifices. Lenhart was also one of only five Panthers to record a hit in the doubleheader against Notre Dame April 18.
In the field, he has recorded 12 putouts and 23 assists, which ranks fourth on the squad.
Designated Hitter: Pittsburgh's designated hitter, Bill Brown, is third on the squad with 25 hits, including two homers, two triples, four doubles and 17 RBI's. His .250 batting average ranks sixth on the squad.
Brown has shown his versatility in different situations. With no one on base, he hits .333, and on the other extreme, with the bases loaded, he is hitting .333.
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 performance at second base.
A Harry Situation: Ciavarella has recorded 20 hits, including one home run, two triples, a team-high nine doubles and a team-high 18 RBI's. He is also second on the squad with 22 runs scored.
At second base, Ciavarella has been impressive, recording 55 putouts, 70 assists and seven errors for a .947 fielding percentage. He has been involved with a team-high 19 double plays.
Short Stuff: Louis Melucci, the Panthers' starting shortstop, has recorded a team-best 35 hits, including a season-best three against Duquesne March 31, and has contributed three home runs, eight doubles, two triples and 14 RBI's. Meluuci's .299 batting average is second on the team.
In the field, Melucci has recorded a team-high 111 putout assists and 51 putouts. He has also been involved in 18 double plays.
A Tall Order: Standing 6-5, junior first baseman Steve Dickinson is the second-tallest Panther on the squad. Dickinson is second on the team with 164 putouts, has been involved in 17 double-plays and holds a .962 fielding percentage.
Offensively, Dickinson, who holds the all-time season home run record with 13, is second with 17 RBI's, and has hit one homer a triple and four doubles.
Help From Hoopes: As the Panthers' starting catcher, sophomore David Hoopes has posted a .975 fielding percentage so far this season with a team-best 196 putouts and 34 assists. He has also prevented a team-high 22 baserunners from stealing.
Against Duquesne March 25, Hoopes recorded his first stolen base, had one hit, an RBI and scored two runs, and in the Youngstown contest, he recorded his first career Panther home run.
Strikeout Savvy: Bob Balazentis leads the squad with 36 strikeouts in 28 innings this season. Balazentis has gone the distance twice, pitching complete games. In Big East contests, Balazentis is ranked among the league leaders with a 3.43 ERA as of Monday, April 27. Overall, Balazentis is second on the squad with a 2.89 ERA. He is also ranked in the conference with 29 strikeouts.
Chris Gallick is second on the squad with 34 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.
CONFERENCE NOTES
Recently Ranked: Jory Coughenour is ranked among the league leaders in individual pitching (minimun 1.0 IP/Team game) in the Big East as of Monday, April 27 with a 4.05 ERA. St. John's Kevin McGerry is first with a 1.60 ERA.
Pittsburgh's pitching staff ranks among the league leaders in overall pitching as of Monday, April 27 with a 5.39 ERA. St. John's leads the Big East with a 3.53 overall ERA.
Bob Balazentis has been ranked in individual pitching for Big East contests (Min. 1.0 IP/Team game) as of Monday, April 27 for his 3.43 ERA. Additionally, Balazentis' 29 strikeouts in league play (12.43/game) rank in the Big East, and he is tied with six others in saves for the one he recorded against Georgetown March 22.
John Schultz ranks in the conference with innings pitched per league game (31.1 IP, 5.22 IP/G).
Right fielder Chris Delsignore is ranked for his hitting performances. Delsignore has been fifth for the past two weeks with his two triples in 15 Big East contests.
