University of Pittsburgh Athletics
A Nine-Run 8th Inning Helps Propel Pittsburgh to a 9-6 Come From Behind Victory Over Connecticut in Series Finale
4/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
A Nine-Run 8th Inning Helps Propel Pittsburgh to a 9-6 Come From Behind Victory Over Connecticut in Series Finale
4/10/2005
STORRS, CONN.
Connecticut built up their 6-0 lead by plating two runs in the third, fifth, and seventh innings. The Huskies were led by the bats of Tony Mallozzi and Russ D?Argento who each had three hits in the game. With UConn up by six after seven innings, the Panthers refused to go away quietly as they scored nine runs off just seven hits in the top of the eighth.
Dan Ford got things started for Pittsburgh as he singled to left field. Ford then advanced to third as Dan Williams ripped a double to right. A pair of consecutive singles from juniors David Cline and Ben Copeland scored both Ford and Williams cutting Connecticut?s lead to 6-2.
After a pitching change by UConn, Justin Cicatello lined a RBI double to right field advancing Copeland to third and scoring Cline. Copeland would then score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore Jim Negrych. Peter Parise continued the rally as he singled up the middle scoring Cicatello and bringing the Panthers within one of the Huskies.
UConn?s pitching troubles would continue as Sean Conley reached base on a hit by pitch. Tim Norton then came in to pitch for the Huskies and walked his first batter, Jeff Stevens, to load the bases. Ford, who then reached on a fielder?s choice would advance to second as both Parise and Conley scored on a costly error by Connecticut?s pitcher, leaving Pitt with the 7-6 advantage.
The Panthers would top it off by scoring two more runs in the inning and going on to win the game with a final score of 9-6.
Pittsburgh?s Andrew Kuss picked up the win in relief of Don Rhoten. Kuss tossed 3.0 innings allowing five hits and two runs. He improves his overall record to 3-1 on the year. Panthers? closer Robert Brant pitched a pair of scoreless frames to pick up his first save on the season. Brant refused to allow any hits or runs and struck out two Huskies in just two innings.
Connecticut?s Ted Garry suffered the loss on the mound, dropping his overall record to 1-1.
The Panthers are on the road again this Tuesday as they face Akron in a game starting at 3 p.m.
NOTES: As Pittsburgh?s Head Coach, Joe Jordano improves his record to 11-11 against Connecticut and is just four wins away from totaling 500 for his career...both Dan Williams and Dan Ford doubled in the win for the Panthers...Peter Parise finished with one run, two hits, and one RBI.
