Pitt finished the 2023 season with a 24-31 overall record and a 10-18 ACC record for No. 12 in the conference. They defeated Notre Dame in the first game of ACC Pool Play last Wednesday, but lost to Wake Forest the next day, ending their year.
There have been at least five players who have declared their intent to transfer following the conclusion of this season and there are likely more players on their way out as well.
Sophomore infielder Tommy Tavarez announced Monday night that he would leave the Panthers. Tavarez played two seasons for the Panthers and served as their starting shortstop in 42 of the 58 games he played in. He spent most of the middle of the season starting at shortstop in 2022 and the initial through the middle part of the 2023 season there as well.
He struggled in the 2023 season both hitting at the plate and fielding at shortstop. He hit .182 and did not have a single hit in his last seven games in 2023 and made 10 errors in 86 total chances. Tavarez also suffered an injury that has kept him from playing the final month of the season, missing 20 games.
First-year infielder Anthony LaSala took on the shortstop role in place of Tavarez and should serve in that role for next season.
Tavarez finished his two seasons with the Panthers with a. .217 batting average, 36 hits, 10 doubles and four home runs at the plate, while making 44 putouts, 104 assists, 15 errors and holding a .908 fielding percentage at shortstop. He has two more years of eligibility.
Junior left-handed pitcher Zack Oswald announced his decision to transfer Tuesday morning after just one season at Pitt. He transferred in from Hartford Community College and served as a relief pitcher in 2023.
He made seven appearances out of the bullpen last season, pitching 5.1 innings, making five strikeouts, while allowing 12 walks, six hits, six earned runs, one home run for a 10.13 ERA. Oswald has two years left of eligibility.
Three more first-years announced their intention to transfer from the program, which includes left-handed pitcher Sam Falace, right-handed pitcher Ryan Slattery and infielder Drew Ripepi. All players will have four years of eligibility remaining.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jonathan Bautista also announced his transfer on Monday, making it six players who have left the program following the 2023 season.
Expect to see more transfers going out and also players joining the program in the near future, as head coach Mike Bell looks to change this Pitt roster for 2024.
How about getting better players coach Bell. Your time is running out. If the cc if Morgan hole can make the ncaa tournament, why can’t Pitt.