The Pitt Panthers (30-21, 11-17 ACC) clinched their first 30-win season under Head Coach Mike Bell on Thursday night with their 6-3 victory over Notre Dame (28-21, 11-17 ACC).
Pitt's last 30-win campaign came in 2013. The Panthers' 30 wins this season is their most in the Mike Bell Era, and most since joining the ACC.
Timely hitting and dominant pitching paved the way for Pitt in their series-opening win.
Antonio Doganiero dazzled on the bump for the Panthers. After allowing two early runs, the sophomore left-hander settled in and tossed four scoreless innings to end his outing. Doganiero struck out five while allowing just two runs on five hits over six innings to earn his team-leading sixth win of the year.
Eddie Smink earned his fourth save of the season, striking out three over his two innings in relief.
Sebastian Pisacreta put the Panthers in front with a two run double in the fifth inning. He finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI and two walks. Trey Fenderson followed suit and drove in a pair of runs on a two-run double. The second baseman had two hits, scored two runs and had two RBI.
Kai Wagner got Pitt's offense rolling with his eighth home run of the year on a solo shot in the fifth. Carter Dierdorf continued to have a patient presence at the plate, working a game high three walks. He now leads the team and the ACC in base on balls.
The Fighting Irish scored a run in each of the first two innings to lead by two through two.
Doganiero settled in and fired three-scoreless innings for the Panthers to keep it a two-run game in the fifth.
Pitt took the lead with three-runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Wagner started the rally with a two-out solo home run to right. Fenderson followed with a single to left and moved into scoring position on Dierdorf's walk. Pisacreta would drive both in on a two-run double down the third base line to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead.
Doganiero finished his outing with a scoreless sixth inning as Pitt led 3-2 through six.
Chase Kriebel came out of the bullpen and inherited a bases-loaded, one-out, jam in the top of the seventh inning. The left-hander induced a 3-2-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.
Pitt added a handful of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 6-2 lead heading into the ninth. Fenderson drove in a pair on a two-run double down the left field line and Joey Baran worked a bases-loaded walk a few at-bats later.
Smink stayed in for his second inning in relief to close out the ninth and help the Panthers take game one over the Fighting Irish, 6-3.
The Pitt baseball program will recognize 20 seniors prior to tomorrow's 3 PM first pitch. Senior day ceremonies will start at 2:26 PM.
THE ASYLUM
Baseball: Panthers hit 30-win mark
The Pitt Panthers (30-21, 11-17 ACC) clinched their first 30-win season under Head Coach Mike Bell on Thursday night with their 6-3 victory over Notre Dame (28-21, 11-17 ACC).
Pitt's last 30-win campaign came in 2013. The Panthers' 30 wins this season is their most in the Mike Bell Era, and most since joining the ACC.
Timely hitting and dominant pitching paved the way for Pitt in their series-opening win.
Antonio Doganiero dazzled on the bump for the Panthers. After allowing two early runs, the sophomore left-hander settled in and tossed four scoreless innings to end his outing. Doganiero struck out five while allowing just two runs on five hits over six innings to earn his team-leading sixth win of the year.
Eddie Smink earned his fourth save of the season, striking out three over his two innings in relief.
Sebastian Pisacreta put the Panthers in front with a two run double in the fifth inning. He finished the day 2-for-3 with two RBI and two walks. Trey Fenderson followed suit and drove in a pair of runs on a two-run double. The second baseman had two hits, scored two runs and had two RBI.
Kai Wagner got Pitt's offense rolling with his eighth home run of the year on a solo shot in the fifth. Carter Dierdorf continued to have a patient presence at the plate, working a game high three walks. He now leads the team and the ACC in base on balls.
The Fighting Irish scored a run in each of the first two innings to lead by two through two.
Doganiero settled in and fired three-scoreless innings for the Panthers to keep it a two-run game in the fifth.
Pitt took the lead with three-runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Wagner started the rally with a two-out solo home run to right. Fenderson followed with a single to left and moved into scoring position on Dierdorf's walk. Pisacreta would drive both in on a two-run double down the third base line to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead.
Doganiero finished his outing with a scoreless sixth inning as Pitt led 3-2 through six.
Chase Kriebel came out of the bullpen and inherited a bases-loaded, one-out, jam in the top of the seventh inning. The left-hander induced a 3-2-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.
Pitt added a handful of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 6-2 lead heading into the ninth. Fenderson drove in a pair on a two-run double down the left field line and Joey Baran worked a bases-loaded walk a few at-bats later.
Smink stayed in for his second inning in relief to close out the ninth and help the Panthers take game one over the Fighting Irish, 6-3.
The Pitt baseball program will recognize 20 seniors prior to tomorrow's 3 PM first pitch. Senior day ceremonies will start at 2:26 PM.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!