Injuries, inconsistencies mark disappointing Pitt season

It was the only fitting way for the Pitt baseball team to end its season: two games decided by… It was the only fitting way for the Pitt baseball team to end its season: two games decided by one and two runs, respectively, both resulting in losses.

The double-header sweep against Connecticut combined with a defeat the day before the Huskies ended the Panthers’ season on a three-game losing streak.

Streakiness was not a friend to Pitt this year.

On three different occasions, the Panthers lost three games in row. Twice they had losing streaks of four games, and one stretch saw five consecutive loses.

Conversely, the Panthers’ longest winning streak this year was two games, which was accomplished on five separate occasions.

But it wasn’t just the losing streak to end the season that was a microcosm for the entire season.

The Panthers (19-34, 7-19 Big East) had 19 games decided by two runs or less. Pitt went 6-13 in those games, including six losses in 10 one-run games.

“As we played this season, it seemed to me that we had very little room for error,” said Pitt coach Joe Jordano on pittsburghpanthers.com. “We had to play clean baseball in order to have a chance to win. We just did not have the depth to make any mistakes.”

“However, moving forward, I know our team clearly understands when I tell them that every pitch counts, both offensively and defensively. This experience will make us a stronger team in the future.”

One major reason the Panthers were able to keep many games close was because of improved play as the game entered its later stages.

In the first six innings, opponents outscored Pitt 272-261, but during innings seven, eight and nine the Panthers held a 98-69 runs scored advantage over opponents.

While close losses and almost-comebacks might be tough defeats this year, the experience in those close contests could prove pivotal next season for the Panthers, as they constantly fielded a young team this year.

“Unfortunately, we got hit by the injury bug early and never really recovered from that.” said Jordano. “What essentially happens is that you must place individuals in situations that they are not prepared for. The one positive is that it enables younger players to gain valuable game experience.”

One of the Panthers’ top offensive threats from a year ago, University of Kentucky transfer Gary Bucuren, played in only two games this year. In his first season at Pitt last year, Bucuren led the team with a .319 batting average and tied for second in home runs with five.

With his injury came an opening at third base, and in stepped Joe Leonard. The freshman, much like Bucuren, finished the year with the team’s highest batting average (.335) and tied for second in home runs with seven.

“[He] had an exceptional year as a true freshman,” said Jordano. “In my opinion he was flat out the Freshman of the Year in the Conference, but also was one of the best players in the league.”

On the mound, the Panthers lost Ryan Dunford to injury. Last season as a sophomore, Dunford pitched in 11 games, compiling an ERA of 1.91.

Before the year even started, the Panthers lost two of their top pitchers from last year, Paul Nardozzi and Kyle Landis, who were both selected in last year’s Major League Baseball draft.

Freshmen relief pitcher David Kaye and starter Corey Baker appeared in a combined 39 games. Kaye’s ERA of 2.52 and Baker’s of 5.15 were the two best on the team of any pitcher who pitched more than 33 innings.

Sophomore Nate Reed led the team with five wins, three complete games and 70 strikeouts.

Also seeing time on the mound this year for Pitt were freshmen Cole Taylor, Kevin Dooley and Hugh Henry.

“All of those guys should be prepared for even better numbers next season because of the experience they received this year,” said Jordano.

While Pitt loses seniors Sean Conley, Nick Mullins and Dan Williams, it should return Danny Lopez, who finished second on the team in batting average (.319) and home runs (7) and first on the team in steals (21).

Starters Jordan Herr and Morgan Kielty should also be back next year, as well as John Schultz, Chris Tonte and Zach Duggan.

If the experience gained by the young players this year can carry over into next year, the Panthers should be able to turn things around.

But for now, the Panthers and their fans will have to take a Brooklyn Dodgers approach to things and wait ’til next year.