Cantwell Homers in Game One Loss at Wake Forest

Friday, May 9

Winston-Salem, NC

6 PM

Pitt

25-22, 9-16

Wake Forest

33-16, 13-12

Pitt

Wake Forest

Cantwell Homers in Game One Loss at Wake Forest

5/9/2025 9:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

Winston-Salem, NC - The Pitt Panthers' (25-22, 9-16) five-game winning streak came to an end on Friday night as they fell in their series opener at Wake Forest, 12-3.

Luke Cantwell led all Panthers in the series opener with two hits including his solo blast in the top of the first inning. Cantwell's 2-4 day was his 16th multiple-hit game this season. Lorenzo Carrier, in his first start in right field since March 23rd, lined a two-run double down the left field line in the top of the second. AJ Nessler (2B), Sebastian Pisacreta and Jake Kendro all had hits as well.

In relief, right handers Sam Bryan and Noah Czajkowski combined for 2.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Bryan allowed just two base runners while striking out two in his 1.1 innings. Czajkowski tossed a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth for the Panthers. He has not allowed a run in each of his last four outings.

The Panthers and Demon Deacons traded blows over the first two innings, combining for seven hits and seven runs over the first two frames.

Luke Cantwell got the offense rolling with a 404-foot solo home run in just the third at-bat of the ballgame in the top of the first inning. The Demon Deacons responded with a long ball of their own, a three-run shot to take their first lead of the game in the bottom half of the inning.

Pitt came right back in the top of the second and knotted the game at three. AJ Nessler led off the inning with a walk. A failed double play attempt after Jayden Melendez bounced a ball to the pitcher, put two runners in scoring position for the Panthers with no one out. On the very next pitch, Lorenzo Carrier laced a two-run double down the left field line that tied the game in the second.

The Demon Deacons got a run in the bottom of the second inning and regained their lead. They led 4-3 after the first two frames.

Wake Forest would go on to score runs in each of the next four innings as they led 12-3 after six innings. They hit five home runs on Friday and took the series opener, 12-3.

Up Next

Game two of this three-game set is scheduled for 4 PM tomorrow afternoon from David F. Couch Ballpark.