The Pittsburgh Panthers lost their second consecutive extra innings contest, losing to No. 4 Miami, 2-1, in Coral Gables on Friday, April 22.
Matt Gilbertson pitched eight innings of one-run ball, striking out seven batters while allowing just six to reach.
The Panthers had several prime scoring chances, but left 12 runners on base, including two in the tenth inning. They also failed to get productive outs, striking out 18 times.
Jeffrey Wehler, playing third base in place of injured starter Sky Duff, singled to lead off the game. He stole second base on a diving play where he did his best Superman impression, pulling out of a slide to leap over a Hurricanes defender, but was left stranded.
Hurricanes catcher Maxwell Romero Jr. led off the second with a double, advanced on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly.
The Panthers managed to put two runners on base in both the fourth and fifth innings, but struck out each time to end the threat.
In the sixth, they loaded the bases with consecutive singles before shortstop Brock Franks grounded into an inning ending double play.
First baseman Bryce Hulett pulled a double down the right field line with one out in the eighth, but nothing came of it after a pair of strikeouts sandwiched around a walk.
Franks, playing in his first game in nearly three weeks after returning from an injury, tied the game in the ninth with a leadoff home run against Hurricanes closer Andrew Walters, the first earned runs charged against him in 22.2 innings to begin the season.
Baron Stuart replaced Gilbertson in the bottom of the frame and pitched 1.1 innings, surrendering the winning run on an RBI single.
The loss moves the Panthers to 21-15 on the season, and 9-9 in the ACC. Their series with the Hurricanes continues at 7pm on Saturday, April 23, with Logan Evans projected to start.
Pitt should have won this game by 3 runs. They left so many runners on base and made several poor running decisions. It’s a shame Gilbertson’s gem was squandered. Whoever is coaching third base is terrible. I have noticed that over the last several games he’s gotten way too aggressive and had blow any scoring attempts with bad decisions on sending runners. They have gotten gunned down every time. I’m addition, Pitt tried to get cute and switched the LF and RF in the 10th to try to get the “right arm” in place for a throw. Well, the LF… Read more »