University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
San Jose State
Panthers Start West Coast Road Trip at San Jose State
3/5/2026 3:57:00 PM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt travels to the west coast for a seven-game road trip that begins with a stop at San Jose State. It will be the first time the two teams have met on the diamond in their histories.
The Panthers have now won five games in a row and eight of their last nine. A winning streak of six or more games would be their longest since the 2021 season.
Top of the Order
• Pitt's offense is off to a scorching start. They rank 2nd in the country in OBP (.501), 4th in scoring (11.4), 4th in AVG (.352) and 8th in SLG (.586).
• The Panthers went 5-0 over their five-game homestand last week. They scored 69 runs in their five wins – 29 of those runs came via the long ball.
• Pitt leadoff man AJ Nessler is hitting .409 with 27 total bases, 18 hits, 18 runs scored, eight RBIs and two home runs so far this season. He's recorded multiple hits in seven games this year.
• First baseman Carter Dierdorf has hit a home run of each of the last three games. He's slugged two three-run home runs and a grand slam.
• Pitt has worked 98 walks so far this season, ranking them 3rd in the country and 3rd in the ACC. SS Caden Dulin leads the ACC in walks/game (1.56).
• Left-handed pitcher Vincent Spizzoucco struck out eight and allowed just one run over six innings in Pitt's win over UNCG last Saturday. He's struck out 14 batters while surrendering just one run over his last 15 innings of work.
• OF Lorenzo Carrier's 21 RBIs lead all of the ACC. He's hitting .378 and slugging .757 with 14 hits, three doubles, one triple, three home runs and 28 total bases.
• 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.
• The Panthers welcomed 21 newcomers to campus for the 2026 season - among them are 16 transfers and five freshmen.
• 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, March 6 at 6:05 ET
RHP David Leslie (Pitt) vs. TBA (San Jose State)
Saturday, March 7 at 4:05 ET
LHP Vincent Spizzoucco (Pitt) vs. TBA (San Jose State)
Sunday, March 8 at 3:05 ET
RHP Drew Lafferty (Pitt) vs. TBA (San Jose State)
Friday's and Sunday's games will be streamed on the Mountain West Network. There will be no stream for Saturday's game.
