March 16, 2002

PITTSBURGH-Trailing in both ends of the doubleheader, the University of Pittsburgh baseball team rallied in each contest to register the sweep over Niagara Saturday afternoon at Trees Field. The Panthers won the first game, 5-4, and the second game, 8-2.

In the opener, Pittsburgh (13-3-1) fell behind 4-0 after five innings, but responded with a four-run sixth inning to knot the score at 4-4. P.J. Hiser (Hagerstown, Md./Hagerstown) highlighted the inning with a pinch-hit, three-run homer. The Panthers completed the rally in the bottom half of the last inning as Chris Papst (Downington, Pa./Downington) roped a two-bagger down the left field line, scoring Brant Colamarino (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) from first base for the winning run.

Scott Schultz (Pittsburgh, Pa./Carrick) picked up the victory for Pittsburgh, pitching a complete game and striking out eight batters while scattering seven hits. Ryan Pranger took the loss for Niagara (2-12).

The Panthers fell behind 2-0 in the first inning of the nightcap. Pittsburgh starting pitcher Joe Engel (South Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport) left the contest with a sore shoulder after facing just four batters. However, reliever Eric Ackerman (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) came on and shut the Purple Eagles down the rest of the game, pitching all seven innings and allowing just two singles. Ackerman also mowed down eight Niagara hitters.

Rob Beahn (Cleveland, Ohio/Cuyahoga Falls) put the Panthers on the board with two-out, two-run single in the fourth inning, tying the score at 2-2. Pittsburgh then posted five runs in the fifth inning, led by two-run double by Rolando Bello (Miami, Fla./Nova Southeastern). Colamarino added a solo home run in the sixth inning to cap the scoring for the Panthers.

Pittsburgh and Niagara close their series tomorrow at Trees Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon.