Pitt
West Virginia
Pitt Hosts West Virginia In Final Backyard Brawl of The Season
5/9/2023 4:19:00 PM | Baseball
Pitt is coming off a back and forth series at Georgia Tech, shutting out the Yellow Jackets in game two, but surrendering double digit runs in the series opener and series finale. As West Virginia has recently become ranked (No. 12 in the country), winning their last four series and 11 of their last 12 games.
Logan Evans dominated in his start in game two at Georgia Tech. Throwing seven innings of shutout baseball, striking out six batters, walking one, and only surrounding four hits. Perhaps one of the best starts of the season, and career.
Jack Anderson reached base 12 times in Pitt's four games last week, hitting .444 with two doubles and two RBI in those four games. He brought patience to the plate as well, walking eight times throughout the week.
With his double in the series-opener against Cal, Sky Duff tied John Shultz (2008-11) for Pitt's career doubles record with 53 doubles. He is now only one double shy of becoming the career doubles benchmark for Pitt baseball. This season, Duff is the team leader in runs scored with 49 and is tied for the team lead in doubles with 14.
TERRIFIC TRANSFER
A transfer from Central Connecticut State, Noah Martinez has made a massive impact for the Panthers this season. Martinez is leading the team in hits (51) and RBIs (42), is sole second in on base percentage (.444) and home runs (9), and is third in batting average (.304). He has the most single-season walks (44) by a first year Panther in Pitt Baseball history.
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
Pitt has worked 277 walks this season, they rank 14th in the country in base on balls. Jack Anderson is ninth in the country and third in the ACC with his 47 walks. Noah Martinez is fourth in all of the ACC and 17th in the country, walking 44 times. While CJ Funk is third on the team and eighth in the ACC with 41 free passes. Pitt's all-time walks leader Sky Duff is tenth in the ACC, walking 39 walks this season.
HOMEGROWN TALENT
A number of contributing Panthers represent their hometown of Pittsburgh -- graduate relief pitcher Nash Bryan, senior catcher/infielder Jack Anderson, junior outfielder Dom Popa and freshman infielder Anthony LaSala.
A Butler, PA native and a transfer from Seton Hill University, Bryan has pitched himself into a predominant role within the bullpen and has emerged as the Panthers closer this year. He has a team low ERA of 3.86 and leads the team in both saves (6) and appearances (23).
A native of Mars, PA Anderson has his name in the top three of several statistical categories for the Panthers this season. He leads the team in on base percentage (.478) and walks (47), is second on the team in hits (48) and batting average (.304), third in RBI (32) , and ranks sixth in home runs (5). Anderson had a 37 game on base streak prior to the series finale against Wake Forest.
A graduate of Hopewell High School where he won a WPIAL championship, LaSala has played in 33 games, making 30 starts. He has 15 hits and has scored 11 runs, while also smacking five doubles. He has been very solid defensively for Pitt, only comitting three errors in his 33 games, while helping turn 16 double plays on the season.
A graduate of Seton-LaSalle High School, Popa played in 47 games with 17 starts as a sophomore in 2022. This year he has played in 30 games and has started in 19 of them. He has 11 hits this season, three of which have been doubles, he's knocked in eight runs, and has stolen two bags.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
The Mountaineers have been on a roll as of late, winning four straight series and 11 of their last 12 games. They are currently the No. 12 team in the country.
Second baseman JJ Wetherholt has been on a tear at the plate this year, his .463 batting average is the best in the entire country. His partner up the middle, shortstop Tevin Tucker, has been swinging it well too, hitting .342 and is tied for the team lead in walks (33) and triples (3).
On the mound, they will be starting Carson Estridge. He will be making his fourth start of the year, and his third against Pitt. Estridge has struck out 13 Panthers in his 6.1 innings against Pitt this season. Carlson Reed could possibly see action out of the bullpen, he has a 1.24 ERA throughout 19 appearances in 29.0 innings pitched.
