Panthers go 1-2 in Tenn. road swing

With possibly their most anticipated nonconference game of the season awaiting them, the… With possibly their most anticipated nonconference game of the season awaiting them, the Panther baseball team headed to Nashville over the weekend to participate in the Music City Classic. The Panthers (3-4) sandwiched a lone win in between two tough losses, including an extra inning defeat at the hands of the Vanderbilt Commodores, annually one of the nation’s toughest teams.

Vanderbilt 2, Pitt 1 (12 innings)

Panther pitching ace Billy Muldowney found his groove against the Commodores, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers never got their offense started and dropped the opening game of the Classic.

Muldowney, who was pitted against Vanderbilt All-American pitcher David Price, got the best of the battle, lasting seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Muldowney left the game with a 1-0 lead, but the Panther bullpen couldn’t hold it.

The Panthers got on the board in the sixth when Jimmy Mayer doubled to left centerfield and raced home on a single by Panther All-American Jim Negrych. The lead wouldn’t hold, however, as the Commodores added the equalizer in the bottom of the eighth.

Vanderbilt then won it in the bottom of the 12th inning when Matt Meingasner walked against Panther pitcher Kyle Landis. Meingasner moved up to second on a balk and then to third on a sacrifice bunt. Landis would then balk again, forcing Meingasner home and allowing the Commodores to sneak away with the victory.

Pitt 14, Belmont 7

The inconsistent Panther offense found itself awake on Saturday as they pounded out 14 hits and 14 runs en route to beating Belmont. Peter Parise led the Panthers with three hits, four runs scored and his first home run of the season. Parise’s long ball was the first of five for the Panthers on the afternoon.

Negrych, Mayer, Seth Button and Dan Williams each homered for the Panthers, who scored four times in the first inning and built a lead that got as large as 12-1.

Robert Brant was once again solid for the Panthers going six innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs and one walk while striking out five. Anthony Rossi made his first collegiate relief appearance, going two and two-thirds shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.

Lipscomb 4, Pitt 0

Defensive errors and a lack of offense ultimately did the Panthers in during their final game of the trip to the Music City. The Panthers racked up just three hits on the afternoon, while Panther pitchers allowed just three hits of their own, but Pitt was plagued by two Panther errors.

Paul Nardozzi, who was named Big East Pitcher of the Week for his work the week before in South Carolina, was solid once again on Sunday. Nardozzi went seven strong innings, allowing just three hits, two earned runs and three walks. He also added nine strikeouts. Kyle Landis worked a perfect inning of relief for the Panthers.

Mayer, Parise and Button had the hits for the Panthers.

Around the Horn: Through six games, Mayer leads the team in batting at an astounding .423 clip – Mayer and Negrych each have two home runs on the season – David Cline is three-for-three in stolen bases on the year – The Panthers are in action next when they head to Florida for eight scheduled games over spring break-