Pitt
Washington
Pitt Heads to Texas for Kleberg Bank College Classic
2/22/2024 3:50:00 PM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt baseball team travels southwest to Corpus Christi, TX to compete against Washington, Maryland and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the Kleberg Bank College Classic.
The Panthers will play three games at Whataburger Field, home of the Houston Astros' Double-A team, and will play an additional game on Monday morning against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Chapman Field. Pitt, Washington and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will be playing each other for the first time in their programs' history.
Last weekend, Pitt opened their season with a three-game sweep over Maine, it was their first season-opening sweep since 2013. All parts of the Panthers' roster contributed as returners, transfers and freshmen all played key roles in Pitt's success.
While the Panthers showcased their ability to score last weekend, they paired it with flawless defense in the field. Pitt is the only team in the ACC, and one of nine teams in the entire country, that has not committed an error this season. Pitt also ranks T-2 in Double Plays Per Game (2.0) and T-4 in total double plays (6) nationally.
WEEKEND OVERVIEW
Friday, February 23 vs. Washington at 2 PM CST/3PM EST (Whataburger Field)
Saturday, February 24 vs. Maryland at 2 PM CST/3PM EST (Whataburger Field)
Sunday, February 25 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 3 PM CST/4PM EST (Whataburger Field)
Monday, February 26 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 10:30 CST/11:30 AM EST (Chapman Field)
LAST TIME OUT
• Transfer Luke Cantwell hit .400 with six runs scored, five RBI, and four hits last weekend, including a two-home run performance in Saturday's series finale.
• Catcher Jayden Melendez hit .500 with five RBI and four runs scored on the weekend. He also threw out one would-be base stealer.
• OF C.J. Funk went a combined 5-8 in Friday's doubleheader, hitting a solo home run and two doubles. Funk hit .455 last weekend.
• Freshman Ryan Zuckerman's first career hit was a late-inning, game-tying, solo home run during game two of Friday's doubleheader. He then went 2-3 with a two-run double and three runs scored in the series finale.
• LHP Ryan Reed made his first career start
during game two of Friday's doubleheader. He threw four hit-less frames and allowed only one run while striking out six batters.
ELECTRIC OUT OF THE 'PEN
• Panther pitchers Ethan Firoved, Phil Fox, Matthew Fernandez, and Erubiel Candelario were electric in relief this weekend against Maine.
• RHP Phil Fox threw 1.2 innings and struck out three batters on Opening Day, escaping a jam in the eighth and throwing a scoreless ninth to earn the save.
• RHP Erubiel Candelario closed out game two of Friday's doubleheader vs. Maine, striking out two and earning the second save of his career.
• RHP Matthew Fernandez threw four innings of one-run relief and picked up the win Opening Day.
PRESEASON RECOGNITION
• Top 50 Second Baseman: No. 16 Tyler Bischke
• Top 50 First Baseman: No. 30 Luke Cantwell
• Top 100 Outfielder: No. 68 C.J. Funk
• Top 150 Starting Pitcher: No. 132 Ryan Andrade
• Impact Freshmen: RHP Aidan Coleman, INF Ryan Zuckerman
