Feb. 25, 2007
Stats
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- The Pitt baseball team dropped an 11-4 decision to Belmont in its second game of the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn. Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field. Redshirt freshman Gary Bucuren launched a two-run homer late in the game, but it was not enough as the Bruins got the win.
Belmont (4-0) took an early three-run lead after the first inning and added one more in the third to move the score to 4-0. Pitt (0-5) got on the board in the fifth when freshman Daniel Lopez (Queens, NY/Monsignor McClancy) drew a walk off Belmont starter Josh Moffitt and advanced to third on a double by teammate Mike Lepor (Rochester, Mi./Grand Rapids Community College). Lopez crossed the plate on a ball hit to first base by outfielder Sean Conley (Chippewa, Pa./Blackhawk) to move the score to 4-1.
With two outs and no one on in the top of the sixth, senior Seth Button (Elk Lake, Pa./Gloucester College) drew a walk and advanced to second on a single by leftfielder Brian Muldowney (West Chester, Pal/West Chester East). Lopez followed by ripping an RBI-single through the right side, scoring Button and narrowing the Bruins lead to 4-2.
Belmont added four more in the bottom of the sixth, moving the score to 8-2. The Panthers weren't done scoring either and added two more in the top of the seventh. Conley got things going with a leadoff single and advance to second on a wild pitch. Bucuren (Ambridge, Pa./Kentucky) came to the plate next and launched his first career homerun to right field, cutting the Bruins' lead by two.
The Panthers could not muster another run, as Belmont went on score three more for the final of 11-4. Pitt starter Rob Brant (Mansfield, Pa./Mansfield) picked up the loss with five innings pitched, giving up four runs on six hits while striking four out. Pitt will be back in action on Sunday as they face Lipscomb at 2 p.m. in its final game of the Music City Classic.
NOTES: Gary Bucuren went 3-4 on the day with two singles, a homerun, two RBIs and one run scored, while teammate Sean Conley went 2-4 with two singles, one RBI and one run scored.
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