Alan Smodic Senior Staff Writer

Freshman wrestler Lou Thomas put an end to Pitt’s… Alan Smodic Senior Staff Writer

Freshman wrestler Lou Thomas put an end to Pitt’s three-match losing streak and started a win streak with his three victories on the mats Saturday.

“Lou got thrown into the mix earlier this season and went up against some of the best in his weight class,” head coach Rande Stottlemyer said, “but these wins will for sure give him some confidence for the rest of the way.”

Thomas recorded four wins over the last four matches by a forfeit, two decisions and a pin for his first dual meet victories as a Panther.

Pitt competed against four schools — Slippery Rock, Duquesne, Franklin ‘ Marshall and Eastern Michigan — last week and walked away victorious in each one.

Pitt 40, Slippery Rock 6

On Wednesday, freshman Zach Bowman earned his first dual meet victory as well with a 2-0 decision against Chris Clarke to begin the match in Pitt’s favor.

Mike Ciotti and Ron Tarquinio followed Bowman’s lead by pinning their opponents at 133 and 141 pounds.

After suffering their only loss of the match, the Panthers ran off six straight wins to down The Rock 40-6 and begin their recent winning streak.

Pitt 31, Duquesne 9

Early forfeits on the Dukes’ end provided Pitt’s Tarquinio and Matt Kocher six-point wins and an advantage good enough to hold off Duquesne for an opening win in the dual meets held at Duquesne on Saturday.

Pitt put together a five-match winning streak toward the end, capped at 6:05 by a Thomas pin of Duquesne’s Zach Hawk.

“I think what’s been most important in the last few matches is how hard the kids have been going at it,” Stottlemyer said. “Even if they come up on the short end, they are fighting all the way, and with that work ethic, good things will always tend to happen.”

Pitt 46, Franklin ‘ Marshall 5

Winning ways continued for the Panthers against Franklin ‘ Marshall, losing only one match en route to a 46-5 domination of the Diplomats.

Bowman, Thomas and Eric Cassidy all notched wins by forfeit, while teammates Tarquinio, Keith Gavin and Zach Doll pinned their opponents.

The Diplomats recorded six team points by way of a pin at 149 pounds, but lost one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 165-pound battle between Keith Gavin and Matt Goggin.

Pitt 22, Eastern Michigan 16

Pitt’s toughest competition of the day came at the hands of Eastern Michigan when the Eagles tied the match at 16 heading into the final two bouts.

Freshmen Zach Sheaffer and Thomas both walked away with decision victories for the Panthers in the 197-pound and heavyweight classes for a Pitt victory at 22-16.

“It was a good matchup all the way through, and when it came down to it, we threw two freshmen out there and they got the job done,” Stottlemyer said. “They just keep getting better every match.”

Pitt will return to Eastern Wrestling League action Thursday when they play host to Cleveland State at 7:30 p.m.

Also on tap for the Panthers this weekend will be the first ever “Beauty and the Beast” meet, as the wrestlers will battle Rider, while the gymnastics team takes on New Hampshire at the same time and place — 1 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Field House.

“We’re ready to get back into the EWL schedule when the matches have even more meaning, and we’re hoping the Rider match will bring out fans to see both events and support Pitt athletics,” Stottlemyer said.