Jan. 9, 2008

PITTSBURGH-University of Pittsburgh head baseball coach Joe Jordano announced the release of his team's 2008 schedule. Pitt will compete in three prestigious tournaments before starting Big East conference play. The Panthers' season will begin at the IMICHOTEL INN-vitational in Conway, S.C., with a pair of games against Virginia Tech on February 22 and 23.

"I am pleased to release one of the most competitive schedules that we have assembled over my tenure," Jordano said. "We will play Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Michigan, Maryland, Georgia Southern and Virginia Tech in the early part of the season. This tough schedule is designed to prepare us for another very tough Big East schedule that opens on March 21 against West Virginia in Morgantown."

Last season, Pitt fell 7-3 to Virginia Tech in their second game of the season as part of the IMICHOTEL INN-vitational. This year, however, the Panthers will look to build on their strong finish in 2007, while utilizing some of their new, young talent.

Following the IMICHOTEL INN-vitational, Jordano and the Panthers will travel to Youngstown State for a three-game series with the Penguins. They will then head to the Keith LeClair Invitational March 7-9, in Greenville, N.C., to face East Carolina, Michigan and Georgia Southern, none of which Pitt saw action against in 2007.

The Panthers will conclude the first part of their 2008 schedule with Spring Training at the Papa John's Challenge March 10-16, in West Palm Beach, Fla., with games scheduled against Maine, Penn, Penn State and New Jersey Tech. Pitt will also travel to Orlando for a Spring Training game against UCF on March 11.

Pitt will open Big East play with a three-game series at West Virginia, starting on March 21, and will play its first home game of 2008 at Trees Field on March 28, when it hosts Louisville in a three-game home stand.

The Panthers finished 27-27 last season with a 15-12 Big East record, good enough for a fourth-place finish in the conference and a trip to the Big East Tournament in Brooklyn, N.Y. Pitt will return eight of 11 starters from last season after losing three seniors; right fielder Peter Parise and pitcher Paul Nardozzi to graduation and the MLB draft, and first baseman Seth Button to graduation. The Panthers, however, will also add 12 new faces to their lineup in 2008.

"I am excited about this club. We are working very hard this fall, and although we will be young again in some areas, our competitive level has been elevated," Jordano said. "I very much look forward to seeing this team come together as we prepare for the 2008 season."

A complete 2008 Pitt baseball schedule, as well as all current information and news on the team throughout the season can be found at www.pittsburghpanthers.com.

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