Pitt battled back but ultimately fell to Mount St. Mary’s (Md.), 7-4, on Friday afternoon at Melching Field in DeLand, Fla.
The Panthers’ pitching rotation continues to struggle this season as St. Mary’s bats got 17 hits. In contrast, Pitt got just four hits.
Pitt righty Kyle Mosley gave up four runs in the top of the first and gave up another run in the third. Pitt trailed 5-0 until rallying in the bottom of the fifth and sixth with four runs. Mount St. Mary’s cushioned its slight lead with two more runs in the top of the ninth and Jett Slepak secured the win in the latter part of the inning.
With the loss, the Panthers are now 5-4 on the season. ACC play for Pitt begins on March 10 against Florida State in Tallahassee.
Scott Seeker got things started for Mount St. Mary’s with a single through the right side for an RBI to bring home Jayson Kramer. Efrain Correa, Jr. then doubled to left field to bring home Seeker and Tyler Long. Long made it to home plate via a fielding error by AJ Nessler. Shane Wockley batted in another run to conclude the inning. And just like that, Mount St. Mary’s was out to a 4-0 lead.
A throwing error by Pitt’s right fielder CJ Funk garnered another run for Mount St. Mary’s in the top of the third.
The Panthers’ bats finally got hot in the bottom of the fifth and scored two runs, both of which were unearned. Noah Martinez and Funk then each had solo shots in the bottom of the sixth to cut Mount St. Mary’s lead to 5-4. After a five inning scoring drought, Mount St. Mary’s rebounded in the top of the ninth with two runs.
The Panthers take on Mount St. Mary for their second game of the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. Pitt then will face Stetson at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, as well. Both games are at Melching Field.
17 hits.
What I’m the wild, wild world of sports is going on? Bell has them headed in the right direction and has grown the program in the past several seasons.
This is some awful baseball.