University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Long Beach State
Pitt Heads to Texas for Kleberg Bank College Classic
2/19/2026 2:35:00 PM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt starts week two of the 2026 season at the Kleberg Bank College Classic in Corpus Christi, TX. The Panthers will play against Long Beach State, Cal State Bakersfield and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Pitt began the year with a series victory over Western Michigan in Port Charlotte, FL last weekend. They combined for 27 hits and 29 runs in their two wins.
Top of the Order
• Jackson Cooke went 3-5 with two home runs, a double and six RBIs in last Sunday's win. His hits (3), home runs (2) and RBIs (6) were all single-game career highs.
• OF AJ Nessler hit .583 last weekend, slugging .833 with 10 total bases, 7 hits, 6 runs scored, 4 RBIs and a home run.
• The Panthers worked 28 walks on Opening Weekend, ranking them third in the ACC, and seventh nationally.
• RHP Drew Lafferty is back in his Sunday role for the 2026 season. He struck out seven batters in his five innings of work last week. Lafferty made 10 of his 14 starts on Sunday last year.
• Pitt is one of two teams in the country to hit six home runs in game this season.
• Pitt relievers LHP Mikey Gray and RHP Daniel McAuliff were named to the Stopper of the Year Preseason Watchlist by the NCBWA. The award is given annually to the country's best relief pitcher.
• Pitt welcomed 21 newcomers to campus for the 2026 season - among them are 16 transfers and five freshmen.
• Five key pieces of the Pitt lineup last season started on Opening weekend: C Sebastian Pisacreta, INF Caden Dulin, OF AJ Nessler, OF Lorenzo Carrier and OF Julian Irizarry
• Head Coach Mike Bell and the Panthers ushered in a new coaching staff in 2026, hiring Luke Bonfield, Sky Duff and Clay Martin.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 20 vs. Long Beach State at 2 PM ET/1 PM CT
Pitt Starting Pitcher: RHP David Leslie
Saturday, February 21 vs. Cal State Bakersfield at 3 PM ET/2 PM CT
Pitt Starting Pitcher: LHP Vincent Spizzoucco
Sunday, February 22 vs. Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, TX at 4 PM ET/3 PM CT
Pitt Starting Pitcher: RHP Drew Lafferty
All games this weekend will be streamed on FloSports.
