Team looks to make a run at school-record 39 wins

Pitt’s baseball team went into its last series of the 2003 season against Connecticut with a… Pitt’s baseball team went into its last series of the 2003 season against Connecticut with a chance to seal a spot in the Big East Tournament. Pitt ended the season with a 10-4 loss and was forced to head home for the summer.

Starting today in New Orleans, head coach Joe Jordano and his staff look to forget about last season’s disappointing finish, in his seventh year as the Panthers’ head coach. This will mark the second year that the team will completely consist of Jordano’s recruited players and could be regarded as his breakout season as coach of the Panthers.

Jordano’s staff includes assistant coaches Joel Dombkowski, Dan Ninemire and newest addition Todd Schiffauer.

“We are very pleased to add Todd to our staff,” Jordano said. “He has great experience not only as a coach but as a player as well. Todd will assist in all phases of the program and I am looking forward to having him with us this season.”

Pitt will look to tally more than 36 wins, which is the plateau it has reached each of the last two years. The school record for wins stands at 39.

The Panthers’ season begins tonight in New Orleans, and Big East play will start on March 27 against Virginia Tech. Conference matchups include trips to Rutgers, West Virginia and a doubleheader scheduled in Oakland at Trees Field against the defending champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The city rivalry between Pitt and Duquesne will also continue as they are set to play another game at PNC Park on May 12.

“It will be a very competitive schedule,” Jordano said. “Our players are willing to accept any challenge and are not afraid to play against anyone. Playing a challenging schedule makes our entire team play at a higher level.”

Returning seniors, which include shortstop Bryan Spamer, third baseman Mike Scanzano, and pitchers Nick Evangelista and P.J. Hiser, look to carry the load and anchor a highly regarded freshman class.

The recruiting class was given Honorable Mention in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s 21st annual breakdown of NCAA Division I top recruiting classes that feature seven pitchers, three infielders, one outfielder and a catcher.

“We have added some very talented freshmen,” Jordano said. “Peter Parise can play almost any position, Jimmy Negrych at second base, Tony Marciante in the outfield, in addition to a few transfers that will have an impact.”

Infielders

Just as they did in 2003, Spamer and Scanzano look to stay put on the left side of the infield. Last year the two seniors racked up averages of .375 and .332 respectively, along with a combined 76 RBIs and 33 stolen bases.

A four-year started at second base, Scott Folmar graduated last year leaving his position up for grabs among many of the new Panther faces. Tom Cashman batted .328 with six home runs and 36 RBIs as he took over the first base duties last season. Cashman replaced the highly touted Brant Colamarino, and should remain there this year to solidify the right side of the infield.

The Panthers, again, will have two quality catchers behind the plate in returning seniors Alex Rybczak and Mike Zambriczki. Rybczak batted .250 last year while starting in 46 games while Zambriczki hit .205 backing up in 11 games.

Outfielders

Outfield competition will be stiff this year. Pitt lost Stuart Rykaceski, who hit .342 last season. Sophomore Ben Copeland, who started 49 games and hit .303, is the only returning starter in the outfield.

Sophomore David Cline, who saw limited action last season, along with freshmen newcomers Mike Muzeka and Tony Marciante, will compete for the two other outfield spots. Muzeka, a red shirt freshman, played for Lake Mary High School in St. Mary’s, Fl. While Marciante hails from nearby Connellsville, Pa. where he played at Connellsville High School.

Pitchers

Pitt returns two senior starters who are very capable of being the No. 1 starter in Evangelista and Hiser. Evangelista was selected in the 24th round of the Major League draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, but decided to return back to Pitt for his senior year. Last season, Evangelista posted an 8-5 record with a 3.32 ERA, while striking out 76 batters in 89.1 innings pitched.

“Having Nick Evangelista back is huge for us because he typically draws the ace of our opponent’s staff. So he knows what it takes to pitch in big games and his tremendous experience will carry us throughout the season,” Jordano said.

Hiser, an All-Big East selection in 2002, was forced to take a medical red shirt last season because of an injury, but will be back in action to create Pitt’s one-two punch on the mound along with Evangelista.

Adam Luckette, a junior lefty from Syracuse, will return as a top reliever. Last year, Luckette appeared in 33.2 innings and held opposing hitters to just a .197 batting average. Senior Don Rhoten is another solid pitcher that will have a spot in the rotation. Rhoten posted a 3.30 earned run average last year as both a starter and reliever.

Seniors T.J. Gornati and Jeff Barnyak along with junior Jimmy Blue should all see significant time either starting or coming out of the bullpen for the Panthers this season. The three pitchers combined for a 12-4 record last year in a total of 130 innings pitched.

“We have several other pitchers who will contribute and will play key roles within our pitching staff,” Jordano said. “With quality front line arms, the depth of our pitching staff will undoubtedly be a strength for this year’s team.”