University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panthers and Pirates Ready for Weekend Series
4/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 16, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
PITTSBURGH - After being rained out its past two games, the University of Pittsburgh baseball team will get back into Big East Conference action with a three-game series with Seton Hall this weekend at Trees Field in Pittsburgh, Pa.
SCOUTING THE PIRATES
Seton Hall sits seventh in the Big East Standings, two spots above the ninth-ranked Panthers despite having dropped seven of their last 10 games. This past weekend, the Pirates opened with a 4-2 extra innings win at Villanova before dropping the next two to the Wildcats, 10-4 and 8-4.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday marks the 57th meeting between the two clubs with the Pirates holding a 37-19 overall lead over the Panthers. Seton Hall has reigned victorious in the last five meetings, including a three-game sweep in South Orange, N.J. last season. It has been nearly two years since Pitt's last home win versus the Pirates- a 5-4 victory in 11 innings back on May 17, 2007. The series dates back to 1985 and the two teams have played each other in at least one game every year since 1990.
UPS AND DOWNS
The Panther pitchers have struggled as of late and will look to take advantage of a Seton Hall team that comes into the game sitting dead last in the Big East hitting statistics. The Pirates will counter with a solid pitching rotation which ranks second in the Big East and 39th in the NCAA (4.23 ERA). The core is led by Sean Black and Joe Dirocco who have each earned Big East Pitcher of the week honors.
PIRATES' BEST
The Seton Hall offense is powered by seniors Matt Smedberg (.354) and preseason All-Big East selection Chris Affinito (.288) who leads the team in doubles (12) and home runs (5) while starting in all 30 games played for the Pirates.
WALKING THE PLANK
Seton Hall heads into the weekend having lost four straight, including both midweek games this past week. The Pirates were downed 15-12 by Princeton and 15-4 against Wagner. In both games, SHU's starting pitchers were roughed up early, allowing a combined 11 earned runs in six and a third innings.
RAIN DANCE
Pitt's midweek games against Penn State and Ohio were both cancelled due to rain. It was the second time in as many weeks the Panthers and Nittany Lions were forced to call off a game due to inclement weather. On the year, Pitt has had five games called on account of bad weather.
