Pitt Edged by Central Michigan in Kissimmee Finale

Sunday, March 3

Kissimmee, FL

1 PM

Pitt

6-4

Central Michigan

8-3

Central Michigan

Pittsburgh

Pitt Edged by Central Michigan in Kissimmee Finale

3/3/2019 6:27:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Season Statistics (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Perry Homers as Pitt’s Five-Game Win Streak Ends

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The University of Pittsburgh baseball team wrapped up the 2019 Russmatt Central Florida Invitational Sunday afternoon, dropping a 4-3 decision to Central Michigan at Osceola County Stadium.

Pitt (6-4, 0-0 ACC) fought back after an early deficit to pull within one, but was unable to complete the comeback, snapping a five-game win streak.

"You have to give Central Michigan credit for coming out early and taking advantage of our mistakes," said head coach Mike Bell. "Overall, I was really pleased with the fight and toughness that our guys showed for nine innings. We really took a step forward as a team this weekend and we will continue to grow as we step into conference play this weekend."

Central Michigan got out to a quick lead, scoring three in the opening frame after a pair of misplays in the field allowed the Chippewas to strike early. They would make it a 4-0 advantage in the second as another error allowed a run to score.

Pitt began to chip away at the lead in the third, as a solo homer off the bat of Connor Perry made it 4-1 in favor of Central Michigan. The Panthers would cut the lead in half in the next inning, when a double down the left field line by Sky Duff allowed Nico Popa to score, making it 4-2 in favor of Central Michigan.

Things quieted on both sides until the Panthers threatened in the eighth, pulling within one. Cole MacLaren would single through the left side to get things going, moving to second on a one-out single from David Yanni. On a fly out, MacLaren would move to third, allowing a single to right from Kyle Hess to cut the score to 4-3. A good defensive sequence from the Chippewas kept things at a one-run advantage, as the Panthers were unable to complete the comeback.

Starter Chris Cappas (0-2) struggled, going just two thirds of an inning, allowing three runs (one earned) off two hits and three walks. Freshman Billy Corcoran threw 1.2 innings of relief, letting up one run off two hits and one walk, striking out a pair.

Reliever David Moore was solid in his 2.2 innings of work, allowing two hits and one walk, striking out a trio. Freshman Brady Devereux continued to shine, allowing two hits in 2.0 innings, striking out three. Christian Camacho tossed a clean eighth inning, striking out a pair, while closer Chase Smith let up one hit and fanned a pair in the ninth.

Offensively, the Panthers managed nine hits on the afternoon, led by Perry and Hess, both of whom went 2-4.

Pitt will make its home debut Tuesday, hosting regional foe Youngstown State at 3 p.m. ACC play gets underway the following weekend when the Panthers face a tough test, traveling to undefeated NC State for a three-game series.

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