University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Cleveland State
Baseball Rolls Over Cleveland State, 13-5
4/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 5, 2011
Avon, Ohio - The Pitt baseball team slugged out 18 hits to defeat Cleveland State, 13-5, Tuesday at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon, Ohio.
Senior Zach Duggan tied a career high with four hits and fellow senior Kevan Smith added three hits including two doubles and two RBI in the win.
The Panthers improved to 16-10 overall while the Vikings dropped to 6-18.
Seven Pitt starters recorded a hit and all nine reached base in the victory.
Making his second start of the season, junior David Kaye pitched 3.0 innings, allowing four runs on three hits.
Senior Cole Taylor (1-0) pitched 6.0 innings in relief to earn his first win of the season. Taylor allowed just one unearned run on three hits, walking two and striking out two.
The Panthers opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first. Smith doubled in Duggan followed by back-to-back RBI singles by senior Travis Whitmore and junior Anthony Defabio.
After Cleveland State picked up a three run RBI double in the bottom of the frame, the Panthers quickly responded with three more runs in the top of the second.
Senior Philip Konieczny doubled to lead off the inning and Duggan added his second hit before Smith doubled down the left field line to score Konieczny. Senior David Chester followed by a two-RBI single to left field to put the Panthers up 6-3.
With the Panthers leading by one run in the top of the eighth, Pitt scored four runs on just two hits as Cleveland State struggled with control, allowing a run on a hit-by-pitch followed by a bases loaded base on balls to Duggan.
Pitt added four more runs in the top of the ninth to take a commanding eight run lead and closed out the game with a well executed 4-6-3 game ending double play.
Defabio and Chester each finished with three RBI.
The Panthers out-hit the Vikings, 18-6. The Vikings issued nine walks to the Panthers five.
Duggan collected four hits in a game for the second time this season. On March 20, Duggan went 4-for-5 in the Panthers 18-9 rout over Niagara.
Pitt travels to Kent State on Wednesday looking to avenge an early season loss. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
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