Pitt Captures Series Opener over Presbyterian

Friday, April 26

Pittsburgh, Pa

6 PM

Pitt

13-27

Presbyterian

20-22

Presbyterian

Pittsburgh

Pitt Captures Series Opener over Presbyterian

4/26/2019 9:37:00 PM | Baseball

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Eighth Inning Surge Pushes Pitt Past Presbyterian

PITTSBURGH – A three-run eighth inning from the Panther offense catapulted the University of Pittsburgh baseball team to a 7-5 victory over Presbyterian in the first game of the series at Charles L. Cost Field Friday evening.

Pitt plated three runs in the eighth, taking the lead off an RBI single from Kyle Hess and extending the advantage on a David Yanni sacrifice fly, as the Panthers claimed their third straight series opening victory.

The Panthers struck first, plating a run in the opening frame to take the quick advantage. With a pair of outs, Connor Perry doubled into right field, coming home on a Nico Popa double as Pitt took a 1-0 lead.

An error extended the top of the second as the Blue Hose scored three to secure a 3-1 advantage.

Pitt would get one back in the second, as Bryce O'Farrell got things going with a double into right center, moving to third on a ground out. Zach Klapak would bring O'Farrell home on a ground ball, as Pitt cut the lead to just one.

Presbyterian extended its advantage in the fourth off a solo homer, but the Panthers would tie it up in the bottom of the frame. O'Farrell again led off the inning with a knock, sending a single up the middle. Klapak would double off the left center wall, scoring O'Farrell, cutting the Blue Hose lead to one. A wild pitch moved Klapak to third before a single through the right side from Gregory Ryan Jr. tied the game at 4-4.

The visitors went back on top in the eighth, as a sacrifice fly made it 5-4 in favor of Presbyterian.

Pitt again battled back, plating three in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-5 lead. Cole MacLaren got the inning started with a single up the middle, moving to second on a bunt single from Perry. Popa would reach on a fielding error by the shortstop, loading the bases with no outs. Hess would drop a two-run single into left field, giving Pitt a 6-5 lead.

Yanni would extend the Panther advantage on a sacrifice fly, as Pitt held on to the 7-5 victory.

Chase Smith (3-5) earned the win, going 1.2 innings without allowing a run or a walk, letting up two hits and collecting a pair of strikeouts. Derek West put up a strong start, going 5.0 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) off four hits and three walks, whiffing six. Freshman Brady Devereux tossed 2.1 innings of relief, letting up one run off one hit and two walks, striking out a pair.

Offensively, Pitt collected 11 hits on the evening, as each starter tallied at least one knock. Perry, O'Farrell and Ryan Jr. each recorded a pair, as Hess and Klapak wrapped up the evening with a pair of RBI.

The Panthers and Blue Hose will conclude the series Saturday afternoon, taking part in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with the second game to begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

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