Pitt Wins First Road Game, 7-2, Over Jacksonville

Tuesday, February 23

Jacksonville, FL

6 PM

Pitt

3-1

Jacksonville

0-4

Pitt

Jacksonville

Photo by: Matt Hawley/Pitt Athletics

Pitt Wins First Road Game, 7-2, Over Jacksonville

2/23/2021 11:36:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Pitt baseball (3-1) defeated Jacksonville (0-4) for its first road victory of the 2021 season Tuesday night at John Sessions Stadium. Nico Popa led the way at the plate, going 3-5 with a homer, double, two RBI's, a walk and two runs.

"I loved the energy and aggressiveness of our at-bats right from the start," said head coach Mike Bell. "It was a typical mid-week matchup where both teams used a lot of arms. I thought our guys continued to apply pressure all night."

Pitt took the lead for good in its first trip to the plate. Sky Duff and Popa hit back-to-back doubles to left field for the first run, and Ron Washington, Jr. knocked in Popa with a one-out single to right field.

The Panthers added another run in the next inning. Jordan Anderson and Popa both drew walks. Anderson stole second base, advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out single to left field by Kyle Hess.

In the fourth inning, Pitt got two more runs. Duff led off with a walk, and Hess hit a one-out infield single. Washington, Jr. then collected his second RBI-single to left field. After David Yanni loaded the bases with a walk, Bryce Hulett beat out throw at first base on a potential double play that Hess scored on.

Once again the Panthers notched runs in consecutive innings. With two outs, Duff walked and Popa singled to left field. Hess than singled into the right side of the infield, and with heads up base-running, Duff was able to race home from second base.

Popa hit his first homer of the season to left field with two outs in the seventh inning.

Pitt opens ACC play with No. 9 Florida State Friday at 6 p.m. followed by games on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

NOTES

Dylan Lester made his first collegiate start and threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts, one hit and no walks.
David Ferguson relieved Lester in third inning to make his collegiate appearance and also pick up his first win.
Chase Smith entered the bottom of the fourth inning with the bases loaded and one out and produced a double play to get the Panthers out of the jam.
Jordan McCrum tossed 2.1 scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts, one hit and no walks.
Stephen Hansen pitched the last inning and produced a double play to end the game.
The Panthers finished with 14 hits and eight walks.
Hess went 3-5 with two RBI, a double and a run.
Duff drew two walks in addition to his double and had a game-high three runs.
Wash was the fourth Panther with at least two hits.