Pitt baseball picks up key wins during break

Senior P.J. Hiser was named Big East Player of the Week, and the Panthers recorded a 7-2… Senior P.J. Hiser was named Big East Player of the Week, and the Panthers recorded a 7-2 record in this year’s Homestead Challenge. Hiser batted .455 for the week and collected two wins on the mound during the Homestead Challenge in Florida over spring break.

“He not only excelled on the mound, but did a great job at the plate,” head coach Joe Jordano said. “[The team] played very solid baseball.”

Sophomore centerfielder Ben Copeland had hits in all nine games and has now recorded a hit in all 12 games played this season.

“He’s come out of the gates charging hard,” Jordano said, also commenting on Copeland’s great play on defense as well.

Pitt 14, Sacred Heart 6

Hiser recorded his first win against Sacred Heart while striking out four batters. He started the game by walking the first batter and surrendering a single to the second. However, that would be the only hit allowed by Hiser as he pitched seven scoreless innings for the Panthers.

Pitt sophomore centerfielder Ben Copeland had a perfect day, going four-for-four at the plate, including two walks, two RBIs and a stolen base. He started off the Panthers’ 3-run first inning with a walk and later scored.

Evansville 7, Pitt 4

Senior pitcher Nick Evangelista struck out nine Evansville batters in a losing cause. He allowed eight hits and four earned runs.

The Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, but watched their 3-0 lead disappear in the top of the sixth inning when Evansville scored three runs with two outs to take a 6-3 lead.

Freshman second baseman Jim Negrych had a career day for the Panthers, recording four hits, including a double and an RBI.

Pitt 16, Temple 2

Senior first baseman Tom Cashman hit two three-run homers — one in the third inning and the other in the fifth to help the Panthers blow by Temple.

The Panthers scored more than one run in four of the first five innings of the game.

Jeff Barnyak recorded the win for the Panthers in five innings of work. He allowed one run and struck out five batters.

Pitt 8, Mount St. Mary’s 0

Freshman pitcher Paul Nardozzi collected his first collegiate win against Mount St. Mary’s. He struck out eight batters and allowed only two hits in his five innings of work.

Pitchers Nardozzi, Andrew Kuss and Adam Luckette combined for the five-hit shutout.

Hiser hit his fourth home run of the season as he went two-for-three at the plate. He also stole two bases and recorded two RBIs.

Florida International 7, Pitt 3

The only team that Pitt did not defeat in last year’s Homestead Challenge was Florida International, and defensive miscues helped Florida International walk away with a win again this year.

Florida International scored three runs in the first inning, only to have Pitt cut the lead to one in the third inning when Copeland scored on an error by the left fielder. Freshman right fielder Peter Parise would later score on a single by Hiser.

However, Florida International countered by scoring one run in the bottom of the third and two more in the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead.

Pitt 6, Iona 3

Hiser recorded his second win of the season, allowing three runs on four hits. He pitched seven innings and struck out eight batters.

Iona jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of the third inning, but Pitt fought back and scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-3 lead over Iona.

The Panthers would add two more insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to secure the win.

Pitt 9, Iona 1

Kuss had an all-around career day for the Panthers, striking out a career-high 12 batters and collecting his first collegiate win. He allowed only four hits in his eight and one-third innings of work.

The game was tied at one at the end of the fifth inning, but Pitt opened the game up, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth on the bat of Jim Negrych. Negrych belted a three-run homer to give Pitt the 4-1 lead.

Pitt 15, Manhattan 10

The Panthers entered the bottom of the sixth inning losing 9-0, but Pitt sent 12 batters to the plate and scored nine runs — six of which came with two outs — to tie the game. Copeland walked and doubled in the inning, and also scored two runs.

Parise also tripled in his second plate appearance that inning, knocking in two runs. He went three-for-five at the plate and recorded four RBIs.

Pitt 10, Rider 6

Pitt scored five runs in the third and fourth innings to put Rider University away in the final game of the Homestead Challenge.

Barnyak recorded his second win of the season and struck out five batters in his six innings on the mound.

Pitt shortstop Bryan Spamer scored two runs on two hits and knocked in two runs.

Pitt was to open at home on Tuesday against Cleveland State, but in light of inclement weather, the Panthers will play their home opener on Friday against Canisius at 3 p.m.