Feb. 24, 2008

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C.-The Pitt baseball team emulated exactly what head coach Joe Jordano said they would have to in order to be successful in their 2008 campaign; combine new talent with veteran experience to win games. The Panthers (1-2) notched their first victory of the season in a 12-8 downing of Virginia Tech (1-1) Sunday afternoon to closeout play in the IMICHotel INN-vitational.

Pitt starting pitcher Brian Chrisman (RS SR/Pittsburgh, Pa./Marshall) had a career-day for the Panthers in his debut-start with the team. A transfer from Marshall, Chrisman provided Pitt with 7.0 strong innings on the mound, tying a career-best nine strikeouts, while giving up just three earned runs off seven hits and two walks.

For the third-consecutive game, the Panther offense started hot, but unlike their previous two campaigns, Pitt kept the hits rolling. The Panthers tallied runs in each of the first five innings. Pitt put three runs on the board in the first, taking advantage of a walk and a pair of hit batters thrown by Hokie starter Andrew Wells.

Third baseman Joe Leonard (Dawson, Pa./Connellsville) knocked a sac-fly to center field, scoring teammate Sean Conley (SR/Chippewa, Pa./Blackhawk) for the game's first run. Pitt center fielder Jordan Herr (RS SO/Lancaster, Pa./Delaware) made the Hokie starter pay once again, ripping a two-RBI single to center field, advancing Pitt's lead to 3-0.

The Hokies answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying the score at 3-3. Chrisman responded, shutting down the Virginia Tech bats as the Hokie offense was silenced until the sixth inning.

The Panthers, meanwhile, carried Chrisman's energy to the batter's box, increasing its lead to 11-3 by the end of the fifth inning. Conley led the way offensively for Pitt, going 2-4 on the day with an RBI and two runs-scored. Catcher Nick Mullins (SR/Brick, N.J./Brookdale Community College) also had a good day at the plate, going 2-3 with two RBI.

Virginia Tech made a run at Pitt, adding five runs in the last four innings of the game, including two with two outs in the bottom of the ninth off Panther closer Cole Taylor (FR/Lower Burrell/Burrell, Pa.), who made his collegiate debut in today's game. Hokies third baseman Micheal Seaborn blasted a two-out, two-run homer over the left field wall, for the game's eventual final score of 12-8.

Eight different Panthers picked up hits in today's game, including Conley, Herr and Danny Lopez (SO/Queens, Pa./Monsignor McClancy), who have all notched hits in each of the Panthers' first three games.

Chrisman earned his first career win as a Panther, while Wells picked up the loss for the Hokies.

The Panthers will continue their 2008 campaign as they travel to Chillicothe, Ohio for a three-game series with Youngstown State March 1 and 2. The Panthers and Penguins will face-off in a doubleheader on Saturday, with the first game scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, Pitt and Youngstown will meet in a 12:00 p.m. contest.