Pitt baseball will travel to Cincinnati this weekend deprived of something it needs most:… Pitt baseball will travel to Cincinnati this weekend deprived of something it needs most: rest. The Panthers’ pitching staff, already depleted, was dealt another blow last weekend when Brian Chrisman, arguably Pitt’s best pitcher, caught a spike against Seton Hall and injured his knee.

Unfortunately for Pitt (9-18, 2-7 Big East), it will not be afforded the rest that its pitching staff needs heading into this weekend’s Big East showdown.

After being swept at Seton Hall last weekend, the Panthers were forced right back into action with two mid-week games at home against Duquesne, a 9-8 Pitt win, and a 6-5 loss against Penn State, respectively.

“It’s been tough having two mid-week games, as well as losing Chrisman,” Pitt manager Joe Jordano said. “It has really spread [our pitching staff] thin.”

The Panthers can’t have any excuses with an important conference series this weekend. Pitt currently sits 11th in the conference standings. Just eight teams make the Big East tournament in May.