University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics
Baseball Fall Focus: Season-Opening Win Versus Akron
10/1/2019 10:48:00 AM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – The University of Pittsburgh baseball team successfully opened its 2019 fall season last Friday at Charles L. Cost Field with a 13-6 win over Akron. Panthers' head coach Mike Bell saw many positives from his team's first performance of the school year against another program.
Kyle Hess' Power
Kyle Hess had as many home runs as he had all last spring (two) against Akron. In Hess' first at-bat, he hit a grand slam to right center, followed it in his next trip to the plate with a three-run homer to almost the same spot and also drew a walk.
"It was great to see him foul off and fight off some quality pitches," said Bell. "He put himself in a good count and took advantage of the pitchers' mistakes. His at-bats showed up great in the box score."
High Scoring Early On
The Panthers scored all 13 of their runs in the first four innings, using power and plate discipline to build the huge lead over the Zips. Pitt drew eight walks in the early innings along with Hess' two homers and doubles by Bryce Hulett and Riley Wash. David Yanni and Samuel Frontino played a key role in the scoring outbursts, as they combined for six runs, five walks and a single.
"I thought the at-bats that Yanni and Frontino had, even with two outs, to get on base allowed us to build the big innings," said Bell. "That's something we strive to do on offense: 27 tough outs, giving quality at-bats and not giving one away. Those guys did a great job of working the count, not giving in, fouling off pitches, making pitchers repeat pitches and taking what's given to them. If they don't give us the opportunity to drive something, turn it over to the next guy. And that's what they did. They turned it over to Hess and he was able to deliver two big blows."
Newcomers' Impact
This year's Pitt team features more new faces (20) than returning (16). Newcomers will be counted on to contribute at several positions to start and provide depth and gel together with the returners in order to be successful. Friday's game was evident in how much the newcomers will be relied on with five newcomers starting in the field: Jordan Anderson (centerfield), Samuel Frontino (third base), Riley Wash (catcher), Bryce Hulett (first base) and Justin Clark (designated hitter). Each one of them had a hit. The Panthers' leadoff batter Anderson reached base three times, going 2-4 with two RBI's and a walk. Wash's double cleared the bases in the fourth inning.
On the mound, all but two pitchers made their debuts with Pitt: Grant Powell, Jarett Bach, Ryan Culley, C.J. McKennitt, Adam Bloebaum and Chris Pouliot. Powell, Bach and Bloebaum each threw scoreless innings of relief, with Powell retiring the side.
"We're really pleased with striving to build a team, which was a communication they had," said Bell. "In the fall opener, I thought our guys ran the bases very well. Defensively, when there were pop-ups, they communicated with each other to get the right guy under the ball for the out. Guys treated it like a spring-time game and competed hard for nine innings. Whether they were new or old, they found a way to work together as a group, as one cohesive unit. That is what I was really most impressed with."
Up Next: Youngstown State
Pitt plays its second game of the fall season against Youngstown State at home Saturday at 6 p.m. It will serve not only as an opportunity to get better, but perform in front of many MLB scouts.
"It's more or less an opportunity for our older guys to compete and to continue to be evaluated, but it's a unique one because we have scout day on Saturday to perform in front of all the major league teams too," said Bell. "Even though it's an exhibition game, we are highlighting it like it's a scout day."
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
Kyle Hess' Power
Kyle Hess had as many home runs as he had all last spring (two) against Akron. In Hess' first at-bat, he hit a grand slam to right center, followed it in his next trip to the plate with a three-run homer to almost the same spot and also drew a walk.
"It was great to see him foul off and fight off some quality pitches," said Bell. "He put himself in a good count and took advantage of the pitchers' mistakes. His at-bats showed up great in the box score."
High Scoring Early On
The Panthers scored all 13 of their runs in the first four innings, using power and plate discipline to build the huge lead over the Zips. Pitt drew eight walks in the early innings along with Hess' two homers and doubles by Bryce Hulett and Riley Wash. David Yanni and Samuel Frontino played a key role in the scoring outbursts, as they combined for six runs, five walks and a single.
"I thought the at-bats that Yanni and Frontino had, even with two outs, to get on base allowed us to build the big innings," said Bell. "That's something we strive to do on offense: 27 tough outs, giving quality at-bats and not giving one away. Those guys did a great job of working the count, not giving in, fouling off pitches, making pitchers repeat pitches and taking what's given to them. If they don't give us the opportunity to drive something, turn it over to the next guy. And that's what they did. They turned it over to Hess and he was able to deliver two big blows."
Newcomers' Impact
This year's Pitt team features more new faces (20) than returning (16). Newcomers will be counted on to contribute at several positions to start and provide depth and gel together with the returners in order to be successful. Friday's game was evident in how much the newcomers will be relied on with five newcomers starting in the field: Jordan Anderson (centerfield), Samuel Frontino (third base), Riley Wash (catcher), Bryce Hulett (first base) and Justin Clark (designated hitter). Each one of them had a hit. The Panthers' leadoff batter Anderson reached base three times, going 2-4 with two RBI's and a walk. Wash's double cleared the bases in the fourth inning.
On the mound, all but two pitchers made their debuts with Pitt: Grant Powell, Jarett Bach, Ryan Culley, C.J. McKennitt, Adam Bloebaum and Chris Pouliot. Powell, Bach and Bloebaum each threw scoreless innings of relief, with Powell retiring the side.
"We're really pleased with striving to build a team, which was a communication they had," said Bell. "In the fall opener, I thought our guys ran the bases very well. Defensively, when there were pop-ups, they communicated with each other to get the right guy under the ball for the out. Guys treated it like a spring-time game and competed hard for nine innings. Whether they were new or old, they found a way to work together as a group, as one cohesive unit. That is what I was really most impressed with."
Up Next: Youngstown State
Pitt plays its second game of the fall season against Youngstown State at home Saturday at 6 p.m. It will serve not only as an opportunity to get better, but perform in front of many MLB scouts.
"It's more or less an opportunity for our older guys to compete and to continue to be evaluated, but it's a unique one because we have scout day on Saturday to perform in front of all the major league teams too," said Bell. "Even though it's an exhibition game, we are highlighting it like it's a scout day."
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram
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