The Pittsburgh Panthers began their weekend home series against No. 20 Clemson with a 8-0 victory on Friday, March 25 in the first half of a doubleheader.
Panthers ace Matt Gilbertson gave up five hits in seven scoreless innings, tallying nine strikeouts in the process as Pitt’s batters built a substantial lead.
Kyle Hess began the game with a double, and took third on a wild pitch.
Second baseman Jeffrey Wehler walked, then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position, before a groundout and another wild pitch scored them both.
The Panthers loaded the bases with two outs in the second with a Hess single and walks by Wehler and right fielder CJ Funk. Clemson center fielder Dylan Brewer made a juggling catch at the warning track to rob catcher Tatem Levins of a grand slam and end the inning.
Ron Washington Jr. hit a home run into the wind in the third. Shortstop Brock Franks hit one the other way the next inning to make it 4-0.
Pitt loaded the bases again in the fourth, forcing Clemson starter Mack Anglin out of the game, but sophomore Ty Olenchuk induced a groundout to escape the threat.
Gilbertson stranded a leadoff double in the fifth inning with a groundout and two strikeouts.
The Panthers answered by adding three more runs from a single and an error by Brewer. An RBI single by Jack Anderson stretched the lead to 8-0 in the sixth inning.
Senior reliever Baron Stuart took over in the eighth and finished the game, striking out four.
The victory moves the Panthers to 11-10 on the season, and 2-5 in the ACC. Following the nightcap of their doubleheader, they’ll finish their series against Clemson at 3pm on Saturday, March 26.
