Panthers lose at Big East

Pitt baseball committed six errors en route to a 2-1 loss to South Florida in the first… Pitt baseball committed six errors en route to a 2-1 loss to South Florida in the first round of the Big East Tournament yesterday at KeySpan Park in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Starting pitcher Paul Nardozzi pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed two unearned runs on four hits. The senior right-hander struck out six South Florida batters, but a wild pitch in the fifth inning and back-to-back throwing errors in the ninth combined to down the Panthers.

Pitt (27-26) had three hits in the game, but South Florida starting pitcher Danny Otero pitched a complete game. Otero struck out three Panthers, walking one.

Senior Peter Parise doubled with Brian Muldowney on third base to score Pitt’s only run.

Seth Button doubled to left field in the fifth inning, and Dan Williams’ bunt on the ensuing play moved Button to third base. South Florida catcher Braulio Pardo tagged Button at the plate after Nick Mullins hit a ground ball back to Otero.

Pitt moves to the loser’s bracket in the double-elimination tournament, where it will play the loser of last night’s St. John’s-Connecticut game.