The Panthers took down No. 21 Florida State, 8-6, on Sunday afternoon at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee.
The game was called after seven innings due to a lightning delay, however. Pitt was winning 8-6 at the time and were credited with the win. Florida State won the weekend series, 2-1. The Panthers are now 8-8 on the season and 1-2 in ACC play.
CJ Funk and Kyle Hess each had two-run home runs to lead the Panthers. Jaime Ferrer led the Seminoles with four hits and two RBIs.
The Seminoles got things started with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first. Both homers were solo shots, one by James Tibbs III and the other by Jaime Ferrer. Pitt tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly by Justin Acal and a RBI single by Tommy Tavarez.
The Seminoles retook the lead with a three-run inning in the bottom of the second, as Pitt righty Erubiel Candelario continued to struggle. Matthew Fernandez replaced Candelario on the mound in the third inning. CJ Funk hit his fifth home run of the season to make it a one-run game at 5-4 in the top of the third. The two-run shot was a straight blast to center field by Funk. Fernandez settled things down and retired the Seminoles to keep it a one-run game in the bottom of the third.
Noah Martinez doubled off the wall to score Funk and even the score at 5-5 in the top of the fifth. A weather delay occurred in Tallahassee prior to entering the bottom of the fifth. Once play resumed, the Seminoles retook the lead on an RBI double by Ferrer. The Panthers tied the game up at 6-6 in the top of the sixth after an RBI single by Johnny Long III to bring home Acal. Kyle Hess then hit a two-run homer to put the Panthers on top. It was Hess’ first home run of the season.
With the Panthers leading 8-6 heading into the top of the eighth, another lightning delay occurred. The weather delay continued and the game was ultimately called, granting Pitt an 8-6 win.
The Panthers return to Pittsburgh to face Youngstown State on Wednesday, March 15, at Charles L. Cost Field. First pitch is at 3 p.m. Following their game against Youngstown State, the Panthers will have a weekend series against ACC foe North Carolina at Charles L. Cost Field.
