Panthers Hold Off Presbyterian in Opener

Friday, February 23

Spartanburg, S.C.

12 PM

Pitt

4-1

Presbyterian

2-4

Presbyterian

Pittsburgh

Panthers Hold Off Presbyterian in Opener

2/23/2018 3:45:00 PM | Baseball

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Pitt Defeats Blue Hose in Game One of Wofford-USC Upstate Tournament

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In a game that came down to the final pitch, the University of Pittsburgh baseball team defeated Presbyterian College 4-3 Friday afternoon in the opening game of the Wofford-USC Upstate Tournament at Russell C. King Field on the campus of Wofford College.

The Panthers used a two-run bomb off the bat of David Yanni to grab a lead they wouldn't surrender as Pitt improved to 4-1 on the season.

"I thought today was a challenge game and we met the challenge," said head coach Joe Jordano. "Dan [Hammer] did not get off to a great start, but he battled, made some adjustments, and got us through five. Chase [Smith] came in and did a really nice job for us again and then we had to go to Yaya [Chentouf] early in a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the top of the eighth. He did a great job minimizing and keeping the lead and finished it off in the ninth.

"We played well defensively again and got a couple of big hits when it counted. Nick [Banman] had an RBI double and David [Yanni] hit at wo-run homer. Frank [Maldonado] had a couple of hits as well. We are close offensively and we just have to gain some confidence. Presbyterian is a very solid team and played well. We look forward to tomorrow."

Presbyterian got things started in the opening frame, causing a bit of trouble for starter Dan Hammer after a pair of walks and a single would load the bases with one out. A single into shallow right would allow the Presbyterian runner to score as Presbyterian gained a 1-0 advantage.

Pitt would get the run back in the bottom of the second to tie things up. Frank Maldonado led off the inning with a single into center and was brought around by a Nick Banman RBI double into the right center gap.

A solo homer in the third put Presbyterian back on top. Pitt, however, would answer in the fourth. With the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly by Connor Perry tied things up at 2-2.

Alex Amos would single to get things started in the fifth before Yanni's two-run bomb over the wall in right gave the Panthers a two-run advantage.

Hammer would go 5.0 innings, allowing two runs off six hits and three walks, fanning four. He was relieved by Chase Smith, who quieted the Blue Hose offense, tossing 2.0 innings of work, allowing just one hit and striking out two.

The late Presbyterian run would come across in the eighth as a walk and single put two no before a fielder's choice and misplayed double play allowed the Blue Hose to load things up. An RBI fielder's choice plated one before Yaya Chentouf was able to escape the inning with a strikeout.

Chentouf would stay in to earn the save, going 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit and one walk, striking out three.

Pitt returns to action tomorrow for the second day of the Wofford-USC Upstate Tournament, taking on USC Upstate at 4 p.m.

Notes: The Panthers are now 4-0 all-time versus Presbyterian … Alex Amos extends his hit streak to 11 games to pace the team … Amos extended his reach-base streak to 22 games to pace the team ... David Yanni belted his first home run of the season and second of his career ... Yanni's last homer came on Feb. 29, 2016 versus Niagara at Historic Dodgertown ... Chase Smith has now appeared in three contests in relief, pitching 6.1 innings of scoreless work ... he's allowed just one hit and struck out five ... Yaya Chentouf earned his second save of the season.

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