University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Rutgers
Baseball Drops Four Big East Games
4/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 24, 2000
NEW JERSEY - The Panthers traveled to Rutgers on April 20 and fell to the Scarlet Knights in a doubleheader with scores of 7-0 and 12-2. Solid pitching by Rutgers in game one virtually shut down the Panthers' offense as they were held to just three hits. Brad Rea (Gibsonia, Pa./North Allegheny), Brant Colamarino (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) and Mike Pokrzywinski (Murraysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) provided three singles for Pittsburgh. Junior Matt Irvin (Derry, Pa./Derry Area) pitched the complete seven-inning game to receive the loss, giving up six earned runs and 10 hits.
The Panthers' offense picked up in game two, but not enough to overcome the Scarlet Knights. Pittsburgh produced 11 hits in the 12-2 loss and was led by Scott Folmar (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg), who was 2-for-4 at the plate with both RBI. Joe Burger (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) went 2-for-4 and scored one run. Five errors on defense allowed for six unearned runs by Rutgers. Senior left-hander Kevin Lazeski (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg-Salem) pitched four and two-thirds innings with just four earned runs to receive his third loss of the year. Senior Steve Vickroy (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) pitched three and one-third innings in relief, giving up two earned runs.
Pittsburgh visited Seton Hall on April 22 and dropped two games, 8-1 and 6-5. In game one, the Panthers were limited to just three hits by Colamarino, Rea and catcher Doug Caraway (Baltimore, Md./Chesapeake). Pittsburgh scored its lone run in the fourth inning when Darrin Lenhart (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) grounded out to the second baseman, scoring Colamarino. Senior Jory Coughenour (Uniontown, Pa./Uniontown) started on the mound and fell to 3-3 on the season after giving up seven earned runs. Schultz appeared in relief and allowed for one earned run while striking out three batters in one and two-third innings of work.
Game two of the doubleheader saw the Pirates take a 6-0 lead before the Panthers were able to get on the board. In the top of the seventh, Stuart Rykaceski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) doubled to score shortstop Christopher Happ (Rochester, N.Y./Greece-Athena), who had singled earlier in the inning. Colamarino then reached first on an error, scoring Erik Katchur (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) from third base.
Controversy ensued in the eighth inning when, with the bases loaded, Rykaceski hit an apparent base-clearing triple to deep right-center field, and then scored himself on an errant throw to tie the game at 6-6. But the Pirates appealed at second base and Rykaceski was ruled out for missing the bag, limiting him to a three-run single and keeping Pittsburgh behind by a run. The rally was cut short when Joe Lydic (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) flied out to left field. The game was called in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Sophomore Jeremy Rossi (Ridgway, Pa./Ridgway) was the Panthers' starting pitcher and received his first loss of the year. He gave up five earned runs and seven hits, while striking out two. Junior Lou Kammermeier (Dormont, Pa./Keystone Oaks) appeared in relief.
The Panthers have the week off from competition due to finals and will return to action on Tuesday, May 2, when they travel to Youngstown State.
