Panthers roll over Ohio with the help of an early grand slam

On a gray, cloudy afternoon at Charles L. Cost Field, Pitt baseball put on a dominant performance against the Ohio Bobcats, scoring 16 runs while allowing only two and extending their win streak to five. 

Starting strong

The Panthers got off to a hot start in the first inning, with starting sophomore left-hand pitcher Antonio Doganiero striking out the first three batters, attacking the zone with confidence. In his second appearance on the mound this season, Doganiero proved he is a worthy quality starter, allowing two unearned runs and five hits while striking out six in 4.2 innings. Doganiero’s command was elite, producing a 69.7% strike percentage and no walks.

Pitt wasted no time backing him up with their bats. The Panthers found themselves with bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the first, when junior catcher Sebastian Pisacreta came up and sent an opposite-field grand slam 390 feet over the right-center field wall on an 0-2 count to give Pitt the 4-0 lead. The two-out onslaught did not stop there. In the third inning, redshirt senior right fielder Lorenzo Carrier destroyed a 426-foot three-run homer to put some insurance runs on the board, giving the Panthers a 9-0 lead. 

Patience kept the Panthers alive

Positive at-bats were a theme for these hitters. Their patience at the dish was rewarded with 11 walks, as these hitters consistently worked the count and forced Ohio to use six pitchers. The team presented a gritty two-out mindset at the plate in a dominant offensive display.

Senior first baseman Carter Dierdorf joined in on the fun as he crushed a 397-foot three-run homer in the sixth — the lefty’s third homer in three games. Draft prospect first-year Mason Ligenza came in to pinch hit and poured on three more runs with a bases-clearing double to left center to secure his first collegiate hit, sending the Panthers dugout into a frenzy for that play.

Opposing struggles

For the Bobcats, there were struggles on the offensive and defensive sides of the field. The team could not make a big-time play, especially with such a powerful force on the opposing side. None of the Bobcats’ pitchers accounted for a strikeout, making their poor defense that much worse. The Panthers’ offense took advantage of the weakness on the mound and swung for 13 hits. 

The Bobcats managed to pick up a bit of much-needed steam in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore pitcher Hayden Blosser picked off senior infielder Jackson Cooke at second base with a timing spin move to get the first out of the inning. With all momentum leaning on Pitt’s dugout, the Bobcats could not crawl their way out of the 12-2 deficit, ultimately allowing the Panthers to tag on four more runs.

What’s next for the Panthers 

The Panthers (9-2) take on San Jose State (4-8) in California for a three-game weekend series Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 8.