Pitt gave No. 7 Miami a scare, but the Hurricanes prevailed, 5-4 in extra innings on Friday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
The Panthers (10-3, 0-1) trailed, 4-0 after six innings but Riley Wash hit a ground-rule double that scored two in the seventh to get Pitt on the board.
In the eighth, Samuel Frontino double home Kyle Hess and Bryce Hulett singled Frontino in top tie the game.
Miami first baseman Alex Toral ended the game with a leadoff home run against Pitt reliever C.J. McKennitt in the bottom of the 11th.
Pitt had some chances to push ahead the left Hulett on third in the eighth when Sky Duff struck out and Frontino hit into a fielder’s choice with two on and two out in the ninth.
Starter Billy Corcoran lasted 5 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on five hits while striking out two. Mason Ronan followed with 2 2/3 scoreless and McKennitt tossed two scoreless frames before giving up Toral’s game-ender.
Hess continued his hot start to 2020, going 3 for 4 with a double. He was intentionally walked in the ninth inning. He’s now hitting .382 and his 1.134 OPS leads the Panthers.
After starting their season 10-1, Pitt has now lost two straight after dropping Tuesday’s home opener to Youngstown State. The Panthers will continue their three-game series with No. 7 Miami on Saturday at 7 p.m. Junior Mitch Myers (2-1, 2.16 ERA) is expected to start.
