Panther Baseball Captures 3-2 Victory Over Kent State
5/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Panther Baseball Captures 3-2 Victory Over Kent State
5/15/2002
PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh baseball team escaped with a 3-2 victory over visiting Kent State on Wednesday night at Trees Field thanks to a Golden Flash error in the bottom of the last inning. With the win, the Panthers improved to 34-15-1 while Kent State dropped to 31-17.
In the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied at 2-2, Stuart Rykaceski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) stole third base and advanced home with the game-winning run as Kent State catcher Ryan Glass made an errant throw which sailed into left field, allowing Rykaceski to score.
Pittsburgh jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage in the first inning as Brad Rea (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) cracked his 18th home run of the season with a two-run shot over the left field fence.
Kent State cut the lead to 2-1 in the third inning as Ryan Glass doubled home Casey Ellis, who earlier doubled. The Flashes knotted the score at 2-2 in the sixth inning as Pat O'Brien sped home on an errant throw by Panther catcher Rob Beahn as he attempted to throw out Tommy Martin stealing second base.
Rolando Bello (Miami, Fla./Nova Southeastern) led Pittsburgh with two hits. Jimmy Blue (Washington, Pa./Trinity) picked up the victory in 3.1 innings of relief, striking out five batters and walking none. Blue (3-1) allowed just one hit and no runs as well.
Shane Curry suffered the loss for Kent State, pitching the final inning and allowing the unearned game-winning run.
Pittsburgh is back in action tomorrow night as it travels to Youngstown State. The two teams begin action at 7 p.m. at Cafaro Field.
