Pitt
USF
PITT BASEBALL DROPS 5-2 DECISION TO USF
3/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 18, 2007
The Bulls tallied the first runs of the game, scoring two in the bottom of the first and adding two more in the second. Down 4-2, Pitt responded in the top of the third, tallying two unearned runs with the help of an RBI-triple from third baseman Gary Bucuren (RS. FR. Ambridge, Pa./Kentucky).
With one out, Mike Lepor (JR. Rochester, Mi./Grand Rapids Community College) reached first on a fielder's choice and stolen second to put a runner in scoring position. After a strong offensive performance in Saturday's game vs. USF, Sean Conley (JR. Chippewa, Pa./Blackhawk) singled to left, scoring Lepor to narrow the Bulls' lead to 4-1.
Bucuren kept things going for Pitt, as he ripped his second triple of the season to left field, scoring Conley for the Panthers' second, and what would be final run. Bucuren continues to hold the team-high batting average with a .365 mark on the season.
USF added another run in the seventh inning for the game's final of 5-2. Pitt starter Nate Reed (FR. Reading, Pa./Oley Valley) picked up the loss, moving his season record to 1-3. Reed threw six innings, allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out a career-high seven batters.
USF starter Chris Delaney preserved his perfect record as he improved to 4-0 on the season, going 6.2 innings, allowing two Pitt runs off six hits, while striking out three. Senior reliever Yuri Higgins picked up the save for the Bulls.
The Panthers will travel to
NOTES: After today's game, lefty Nate Reed can boast a team-high 30.2 innings pitched, while he is one of four Panther pitchers with 20 or more strikeouts, tallying 22. Catcher Nick Mullins was the lone Pitt player to tally two or more hits in the contest, as he went 2-4 with two singles and tallied a team-high eight putouts.
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