The Pittsburgh Panthers earned their first ACC win of 2022 against the Virginia Tech Hokies, 4-3, in Blacksburg on Friday, March 18.
The Hokies bullpen melted down in the sixth inning as they gave up back-to-back home runs, with both teams living and dying by the long ball.
Senior ace Matt Gilbertson started for the Panthers and tallied seven strikeouts in six innings of two run ball.
Gilbertson allowed a pair of solo home runs to the bottom of the Hokies order: third baseman Carson DeMartini in the third inning, and first baseman Nick Holesa in the fifth.
Meanwhile, sophomore Griffin Green took the mound for the Hokies and suppressed the Panthers offense. Embracing his role as the new leadoff man, outfielder Kyle Hess went three-for-three to begin the game for the Panthers, but Green managed to strand him each time. Third baseman Sky Duff drew a walk to chase Green from the game after 5.1 shutout innings and four strikeouts on 86 pitches.
Redshirt freshman Brady Kirtner replaced Green and gave up a home run to Ron Washington Jr. to tie the game at two. Head coach John Szefc pulled him for junior Jonah Hurley, but Bryce Hulett hit an opposite field home run to take a 3-2 lead.
Baron Stuart filled in for Gilbertson and finished the game, pitching three innings and adding six strikeouts.
Jack Anderson hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to score Duff and give the Panthers some insurance, before the Hokies pulled back within one in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single.
The win moves the Panthers to 10-8 on the year, and 1-3 in the ACC. They’ll continue their series with the Hokies on Saturday, March 19 at 3pm, with Logan Evans projected to start.
Gilbertson pitched really well. We need someone to really step up in relief.
Glad they held this lead. Let’s make it 2 in a row!
H2P!