Panthers

A leadoff hitter is supposed to start things on a positive note, and for the Pitt baseball… A leadoff hitter is supposed to start things on a positive note, and for the Pitt baseball team, Chris Sedon has anchored it from the top of the lineup to its best start since 2003.

In two games this week, Sedon went 3 for 7 in wins over Akron at home on Tuesday and at Duquesne Wednesday to help Pitt improve to 18-7. In 2003, the Panthers had the same record through their first 25 games.

In his first year as a Panther, the junior transfer from Lackawanna Community College in Scranton, Pa., leads the Panthers in nearly every statistical category, including average (.444), hits (44), home runs (nine), RBIs (31), slugging percentage (.798 percent) and hit-by-pitches (six).

Pitt returns to Big East play this weekend when it travels to South Florida for three games against the Bulls starting Friday at 7 p.m.

Pitt 17, Akron 5

After the top of the first inning, Akron appeared more likely than Pitt for an offensive explosion, scoring three runs before the Panthers even came to bat. But Pitt answered with three of its own in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a solo homer from Sedon and a two-run double by Frank Mercurio.

Akron scored another in the third to knock out starting pitcher Hugh Henry, but the Panthers regained the lead in the bottom of the inning by scoring two runs. Heading into the sixth inning, Pitt still led 5-4, but a seven-run outburst put the game out of reach for Akron.

Phil Konieczny started off the inning with a single, advanced to third on a single by Kevan Smith and then scored on another single by Chris Tonte. Later in the sixth, an intentional walk to Sedon loaded the bases with only one out, and singles by John Schultz and Danny Lopez scored three more runs. Morgan Kielty capped off the inning with a three-run homer.

Mercurio, who had a team-high four RBIs, and Manoli Pahoulis also homered during the game. Josh Smith picked up the win in relief, going six innings, giving up one run on five hits and striking out four. It’s his second victory on the season.

Pitt 6, Duquesne 4

The Panthers opted not to play catch-up the next day, jumping out to a 4-0 lead by the third inning.

Lopez, who led the team with four hits and three RBIs against the Dukes, belted his first home run of the year in the second inning to break the scoreless tie. Pitt added another run in the second when Matt Litzinger walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild throw and was driven in by Chris Warner on a groundout to second.

Joe Leonard singled in Sedon for Pitt’s third run, and Lopez drove in Schultz for the Panthers’ fourth.

Starting pitcher Kevin Dooley improved to 3-1 this year, going six innings and allowing only two runs on six hits.

David Kaye finished out the day on the mound, pitching three innings, giving up two runs on two hits.

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