University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers Host Akron and Travel to Duquesne
3/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 30, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh baseball team will play two midweek games in Pittsburgh before packing up and heading south to Tampa, Florida for a three-game set with Big East rival South Florida this weekend. The Panthers will host the Akron Zips, whom thety have defeated twice already this season on Tuesday, March 31 at Trees Field. On Wednesday, Pitt will square off against cross-town rival Duquesne.
THIRD MEETING
The Panthers square off against an Akron team they have already faced twice this season. The Panthers followed up an 8-5 win over Akron at the Papa John’s Classic with a 14-13 shootout win at Lee Jackson Field in Akron, Ohio on March 24th. Chris Sedon launched his sixth and seventh home runs of the year, the first being a grand slam in the second inning that got the Panthers’ offense in gear.
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
After two victories against the Zips this season, the overall series between Pitt and Akron is tied at 20-20. The last time Akron visited Trees Field was on May 13, 2008 where they were able to leave with a 4-2 victory in which the Panthers stranded 11 runners on base. In their last ten games, Akron has gone 3-7, including a win over a Youngstown State team who the Panthers have beaten twice this season.
DUQUESNE SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday’s contest marks the 80th meeting between the Panthers and Dukes. The Panthers lead the overall series 57-21-1, and have won eight of the last 12 meetings. Pitt won both games last year, edging the Dukes 9-8 at Duquesne and overcoming a 5-1 deficit to drop their cross-town rival 17-6 in a game held at PNC Park.
DUKES LEADERS
Anthony Manley (.369) and Rick Devereaux (.313) lead the offensive attack for the Duquesne. Manley has started in all but one game this season and leads the team in hits (31), slugging percentage (.500) and extra base hits (8). Devereaux leads the team in RBI (19) and is tied for the team lead in home runs (2) and runs (15).
MIXING IT UP
The Dukes have four different pitchers who have recorded a win during the 2009 season. Leading the team in strikeouts is Gary Pierpont with 20. In their last 10 games, Duquesne has posted a record of 2-7-1, with both victories coming against common opponents Youngstown State and Cleveland State.
TRIPLE CROWN
Junior transfer Chris Sedon has been nearly perfect through his first 22 games in a Panther uniform. The starting second baseman and leadoff hitter for Pitt leads the team in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.446), RBI (29) and home runs (8).
Sedon started the season with an eight-game hitting streak before being shutout by Miami on March 11th. Sedon went back to work the following game, embarking on a nine-game hitting streak which was snapped in a rain-shortened 7-4 over Youngstown State. He has hit in 20 of 22 games, including 14 games with at least two hits and 13 games with at least one RBI.
90 FEET THIEVERY
Chris Sedon has been a terror for opposing pitchers while on the bases this season. The speedy second baseman leads the Panthers in stolen bases and is tied atop the Big East standings with 15. Sedon has been caught just once this season, against Ohio State on March 13th. Since that point, he is a perfect 9-for9, including two in Pitt’s 14-11 win over Notre Dame on Sunday, March 29th.
RACE TO 15
The Panthers reached the 15 win mark in their 22nd game this season, the second fastest in head coach Joe Jordano’s tenure. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, the Panthers reached the 15-win mark in just 19 games, going 15-3-1 in ‘02 and 15-4 in both ‘03 and ‘04.
HOME RUN DERBY
The Panthers have totaled 27 home runs through 22 games this season, ranking them third in the Big East Conference. Cincinnati is tops in the 12-team league with 30 while Louisville is second, one home run ahead of Pitt with 28. Nine different Panthers have hit at least one home run this season, lead by Chris Sedon’s eight. Joe Leonard and Cory Brownsten each have four while Frank Mercurio is close behind with three.
