University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Villanova
Baseball Begins Big East Play
3/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 20, 2000
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh baseball team began its Big East Conference play with a three-game series at Villanova over the weekend. The Panthers defeated the Wildcats in game one, 5-4, but lost both games of a doubleheader on Sunday, 4-3 and 4-2.
The Panthers came from behind in game one of the series to win their sixth-straight in ten innings. Pittsburgh was down 4-2 heading into the eighth after relinquishing a 2-0 first inning lead. Junior Darrin Lenhart (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) hit an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4 in the ninth. The Wildcats were not able to score in the bottom of the inning, forcing extra innings.
The Panthers began the inning with a base hit by senior shortstop Christopher Happ (Rochester, Pa./Greece-Athena) who advanced to third on an error by the catcher. Freshman left fielder Andre Williams (Johnstown, Pa./Johnstown) then was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners. Senior catcher Doug Caraway (Baltimore, Md./Chesapeake) grounded into a double play that scored Happ for the go-ahead run. Pittsburgh then held off Villanova in the bottom of the inning for the win.
Junior right-hander Scott Schultz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick) earned his first win of the season with three innings of work on the mound, while junior transfer Lou Kammermeier (Dormont, Pa./Keystone Oaks) earned his second save of the year. Starter Jory Coughenour (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) pitched six full innings, striking out eight batters.
Roles reversed in game two of the weekend, with the Wildcats coming from behind in the bottom of the seventh and final inning. Pittsburgh lost a 3-2 lead in the sixth when Villanova tied the game. Mike Houser hit an RBI single with bases loaded and two outs to clinch the win for the Wildcats in their last attempt at bat.
Junior Matt Irvin (Derry, Pa./Derry Area) earned his first loss of the year, pitching a complete game. Third baseman Joe Lydic (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park), shortstop Mike Pokrzywinski (Murraysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Lenhart were all responsible for RBIs for the Panthers while the team was held to just two hits.
Villanova held the lead for the entire second game with a rally attempt by Pittsburgh in the last two innings. The Panthers got on the board in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly by Lydic that scored freshman Joe Burger (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk). First baseman Brad Rea (Gibsonia, Pa./North Allegheny) then began the ninth inning off with his third home run of the season, but Pittsburgh was not able to overcome the deficit.
Sophomore left-hander Eric Ackerman (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) pitched six and one-third innings in the loss.
The Panthers finished the week with a record of 4-2, also collecting wins over Duquesne and Niagara (two). Pittsburgh's record is 12-7 overall and 1-2 in the Big East. The Panthers will play host for seven games next week beginning with a doubleheader against Duquesne at Trees Field on Tuesday, March 21. Oakland then comes to Pittsburgh for a doubleheader on March 22 before the Panthers host Georgetown in a three-game Big East series March 25-26.
