April 5, 2008
Box Score
PITTSBURGH--The University of Pittsburgh baseball team squared off against Seton Hall today in the second of three conference contests this weekend. After suffering a 1-0 defeat in the series' first game, Pitt dropped another low scoring affair this afternoon by a score of 3-0.
The Panthers (8-16, 2-6) offense continued to sputter after not having registered a run in the past two games, mustering only two hits against SHU's Corey Young, who picked up the complete game victory.
Pitt did, however, threaten to put the game's first runs on the board in the fifth inning. Freshman Zach Duggan (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) posted a lead off single and was then jaunted over to second after Jordan Herr (Lancaster, Pa./Delaware) was struck by an errant Young offering. Sean Conley (Chippewa, Pa./Blackhawk) was able to advance both runners with a ground out to the right side, but Young shut the door on the Panthers by striking out Danny Lopez (Queens, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) to end the inning.
Pitt starter Rob Brant (Mansfield, Pa./Mansfield) and the Panther defense also played well, as they thwarted Seton Hall's offensive threats until the sixth inning when the Pirates broke the scoreless tie. Chris Fontenelli led off the inning with a single to left field. Freshman A.J. Rusbarsky then successfully sacrifice bunted Fontenelli to second base. A single by senior Mark Pappas put runners on first and third with one out and a walk to junior Chris Affinito loaded the bases. The next batter, Greg Miller flew out to right field, scoring Fontenelli to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Junior Matt Smedberg followed with a two-out two-run triple to left-center field to post the game's final two runs.
Brant was given the loss, his third of the year, after allowing six hits in 5.2 innings of work.
The two teams will conclude the series tomorrow at Owen T. Carroll Field at noon.
