Funk Has Second Three-Hit Game of Series as Panthers Fall in Rubber Match

Sunday, March 17

Pittsburgh, PA

1 PM

Pitt

10-7, 1-5

Boston College

11-7, 2-4

Boston College

Pittsburgh

Funk Has Second Three-Hit Game of Series as Panthers Fall in Rubber Match

3/17/2024 5:28:00 PM | Baseball

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PITTSBURGH - Pitt fell 7-3 to Boston College in Sunday afternoon's rubber match at Charles L. Cost Field. The Panthers found themselves down in the early innings for the second consecutive game and were never able to comeback.

C.J. Funk recorded his second three-hit game of the series going 3-4 with three singles and a walk today. Ryan Zuckerman drove in two runs for the second straight game when he singled up the middle in the sixth inning, the freshman finished the day 1-3 with a walk. Tyler Bischke had yet another multiple-hit game as he went 2-3 with a double and a run scored. Bischke recorded 12 hits in Pitt's five games this week.

Ethan Firoved and Phil Fox were each very strong in their relief appearance, each allowing just one earned run on two hits. Firoved struck out six batters, including the side in the top of the sixth, while Fox struck out four.

Boston College scored first for the second straight game when they plated two runs on two hits to take an early lead in the top of the first. The Eagles tacked on two more on a two-run shot to right-center in the top half of the third inning and led 4-0.

After getting two quick outs in the bottom half of the inning, the Panthers loaded the bases with three straight walks by C.J. Funk, Luke Cantwell and Jayden Melendez. Designated hitter Justin Fogel lined a 1-2 pitch to the center fielder to end the inning and the threat.

Boston College got another run in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single through the left side which increased their lead to five.

Dom Popa singled up the middle in the bottom of the fifth and extended his hitting streak to 16 games. C.J. Funk followed him with a single of his own and Pitt had runners at the corners with one out. Luke Cantwell smacked an RBI single to center that scored Popa from third and Pitt was on the board for the first time today. With runners still at the corners, Jayden Melendez grounded into a 4-3 inning-ending double play. They trailed 5-1 after five.

Justin Fogel reached on a swinging bunt and advanced to second when the catcher threw the ball down the first base line. Tyler Bischke worked a walk and Pitt had runners at first and second with nobody out. Turner Grau then laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved Fogel and Bischke into scoring position for Ryan Zuckerman to lace a two-run single up the middle and crawl Pitt back into the game.

Boston College would get those two runs back and score one in each the seventh and eighth innings to ultimately win Sunday's rubber match 7-3.