Panthers Tie Game in Ninth, Fall in Extras

Wednesday, March 13

Pittsburgh, PA

3 PM

Pitt

9-5

Youngstown State

1-15

Youngstown State

Pittsburgh

Panthers Tie Game in Ninth, Fall in Extras

3/13/2024 7:25:00 PM | Baseball

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PITTSBURGH – After tying the game with a three-run ninth inning, Pitt fell to Youngstown State 7-6 in 10 innings on Wednesday afternoon.

Catcher Josh Spiegel had a three-hit, four RBI, performance that included a two-run home run and a game-tying two-run single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth inning. Dom Popa, Tyler Bischke and Turner Grau each collected two-hit games. Popa went 2-3 with two runs scored and two hit by pitches, Bischke went 2-6 with a double, while Grau went 2-4 with a walk against his former team.

Despite getting the loss, Matt Fernandez was phenomenal out of the bullpen today. He allowed just four hitd and one unearned run over his four innings in relief. Left-handers Ethan Firoved and Ryan Partridge each provided quality innings in relief as well, allowing three combined runs over 4.2 innings pitched.

The Penguins got three runs on two hits and an error in the top of the first off Pitt starter Kyle Mosley.

Leadoff man Dom Popa was hit by a pitch, stole second and then advanced to third on an errant throw by the catcher but was stranded in the bottom of the first and Youngstown State led 3-0 after one.

Pitt got on the board in the bottom of the second on an opposite field two-run shot by Josh Spiegel that cut the Penguin lead to one after two.

Youngstown State tacked two more runs on in the top of the fourth on and RBI single and an RBI groundout and extended their lead to three. They lead 5-2 after four full frames.

Dom Popa led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left center and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. In the next at-bat, Tyler Bischke doubled off the left-centerfield wall and Pitt had two runners in scoring position with nobody out. After getting Luke Cantwell to strikeout C.J. Funk was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases with one out. YSU induced a 4-3 double play in the next at-bat to end the inning and the threat.

Pitt threatened again in the bottom of the seventh when the top of the order got the offense rolling again. Dom Popa was hit by pitch and advanced to third on a Tyler Bischke single and Luke Cantwell walked to load the bases with one out. For the second straight inning, the Panthers grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. Popa scampered home and Pitt cut the lead to three, trailing 6-3 after seven.

After a couple of scoreless frames from both ball clubs, Pitt came up in the ninth inning down three and needing runs to extend the game. The top of the order yet again got on base as they drew three walks to load the bases with one out. Justin Fogel beat out what could have been a game-ending 6-4-3 double play and the Penguins third bases-loaded double play of the game. Popa scored, Cantwell advanced to third and Pitt cut the lead to two. Freshman Austyn Winkleblech pinch-ran for Justin Fogel at first and stole second to put himself in scoring position. Josh Spiegel tied the game with a two-run single up the middle and this game went to extras.

Matt Fernandez started the seventh for the Panthers and threw three shutout innings to get the game into extras. Youngstown State would however get a run in the tenth on an error by C.J. Funk in right field that would have ended the inning.

Pitt had the tying run in scoring position at second in the ninth as the top of the order once again delivered for Pitt and got on base. Popa singled to center with one out for his second base knock of the game. Tyler Bischke then reached on a 5-4 fielder's choice that nabbed Popa at second. Luke Cantwell worked his third walk of the game to put runners at first and second for C.J. Funk. Funk would fly out to right and end this extra inning affair.

The Panthers host Boston College in their first home ACC series of the season this weekend. Friday's and Saturday's games both start at 3 PM and Sunday's game will start at 1 PM.