University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Connecticut
Baseball Falls to Connecticut, 8-2
4/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 16, 2000
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh baseball team fell to visiting Connecticut today, 8-2, in the final matchup of a three-game Big East Conference series at Trees Field. The Panthers swept a doublheader over the Huskies yesterday with scores of 18-0 and 10-3.
Connecticut jumped to a quick 1-0 lead in the first before Pittsburgh responded by taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore designated hitter Brad Rea (Gibsonia, Pa./North Allegheny) hit a double to left center field to drive in sophomore Stuart Rykaceski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) for the Panthers' first run. Junior first baseman Corey Joyce (Scranton, Pa./Lackawanna C.C.) then singled to the shortstop to bring junior Joe Lydic (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) over the plate, giving Pittsburgh its only lead of the game.
The Huskies tied the game with a run in the second inning while three runs in the third would give them the lead for good as they would hold the Panthers scoreless throughout the remainder of the game. Connecticut was led by catcher Brian Esposito who was 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Kevin Wissner also had a home run for the Huskies in the fifth inning.
Rykaceski led Pittsburgh offensively with a 2-for-4 effort and a run scored. Senior left-hander Kevin Lazeksi (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg-Salem) started on the mound for the Panthers and received his second loss of the year. Sophomore Jeremy Rossi (Ridgway, Pa./Ridgway), senior Steve Vickroy (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) and junior Lou Kammermeier (Dormont, Pa./Pitt-Greensburg) all saw innings in relief.
Pittsburgh's record moves to 24-13 overall and 8-6 in the Big East. The Panthers will host Cleveland State on Tuesday, April 18, beginning at 3 p.m. at Trees Field.
