March 4, 2002

HOMESTEAD, Fla.-The University of Pittsburgh baseball team is off to its best start during head coach Joe Jordano's five years as it defeated Holy Cross, 9-5, and Lehigh, 8-3, improving to an unblemished 8-0 mark yesterday at the Homestead Challenge. Last season, the Panthers began the year 4-0 before falling to eventual national champion, Miami.

In the 9-5 victory over the Crusaders, Pittsburgh needed a five-run sixth inning to pull out the victory. Trailing 5-4 heading into the bottom half of the sixth, the Panthers' bats came alive. Michael Bell and Bryan Spamer each collected RBI-singles, while Scott Folmar added a two-run single. Rob Beahn later scored on an error by the Holy Cross pitcher.

Spamer finished with three hits, two runs and two RBIs, while Folmar added two hits and two RBIs.

Jimmy Blue picked up his first collegiate victory, going three innings and striking out five Crusaders.

In the second game, Pittsburgh found itself down again as it trailed 2-1 heading into the sixth inning. However, once again the Panthers ignited with seven runs in the final four innings to secure the victory.

Brant Colamarino led Pittsburgh with two hits, three RBIs and three runs, including a two-run blast to right field in the eighth inning. P.J. Hiser added a solo home run in the second inning and finished with two hits and two runs, while Rolando Bello notched a bases-clearing, three-run double in the sixth inning.

Eric Ackerman threw six innings and tallied his first win of the year. Brad Webb tossed the final three innings, striking out four batters.