Sept. 15, 2009

PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh baseball team is gearing up for another run at a Big East Conference Championship, starting with the opening of its fall portion the season.

Practice in preparation for the 2010 season started today, Sept. 14 at Trees Field with practice and competition continuing through Oct. 12. The squad will also feature the "Champions Challenge" this fall - a physical and mental test of endurance. The challenge will include workouts throughout campus including Trees Pool, Flagstaff Hill, Chevron Steps and the Intramural Fields.

In addition, Pitt's future home is taking shape as the dugouts have been poured for the Panthers new Olympic Sports Complex, which features a state-of-the-art baseball stadium, along with a soccer and softball stadium, as well as a track and field facility.

The Panthers are coming off a thrilling season in which they finished 28-21 and qualified for the Big East Championship Tournament after taking two of three games from rival West Virginia in the final weekend of the season.

Two players were drafted from the 2009 team, including All-American Chris Sedon in the 10th round by the Detroit Tigers. Sedon was named to four All-America teams this season, including Collegiate News Louisville Slugger First Team, Baseball America Second Team, American Baseball Coaches Association Third Team and CollegeBaseballInsider.com Second Team. Junior lefty Nate Reed was also taken in the draft in the 20th round by the Chicago White Sox.