Baseball crushes Duquesne, 14-4

A Pitt sporting event against Duquesne always demonstrates a huge rivalry, and quite often… A Pitt sporting event against Duquesne always demonstrates a huge rivalry, and quite often produces a win for the Panthers. The Panthers baseball team did exactly what was expected of them Tuesday, pounding the Dukes 14-4 in an outstanding hitting performance.

The Panthers (18-5 overall, 2-1 Big East) controlled this matchup in every aspect of the game. The Dukes did not seem prepared for the Panthers from the start, making costly mistakes around the diamond.

“I was pleased,” Pitt head coach Joe Jordano said. “We took advantages of all our opportunities.”

A single by third baseman Mike Scanzano in the bottom of the first inning scored the Panthers’ first run, giving them a 1-0 lead, which would only increase as the game went on.

Things got much worse for Duquesne (9-11, 2-1) in the bottom of the second inning when Pitt center fielder Ben Copeland hit a double to score two runs. Shortly after, the lead was increased to 4-0 and Duquesne coach Mike Wilson had seen enough from his pitcher Travis Rife.

After a brief outing of 1 1/3 innings, the Dukes pitcher was replaced. The Panthers scored another run in the third inning after a Duquesne error, and after three full innings, the Pitt lead was 5-0.

The Dukes were not ready to go away yet, however, as they rallied in the fourth inning in hopes of a comeback in this cross-town rivalry. Three Duquesne runs were scored in the inning, including a two-run home run by first baseman Andy Gallina.

But two runs was the closest the Dukes would come to the Panthers. Pitt continued to pick away, scoring runs little by little and expanding its lead throughout the game.

Pitt shortstop Bryan Spamer answered Gallina’s homer with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the fourth.

Errors by the Dukes continued to aid the Panthers in their scoring as well. Duquesne had five errors in the game overall, and perhaps the most costly came in the bottom of the seventh.

What looked to be an easy out for the Dukes at second base turned into an extended inning filled with Pitt runs. The error led to an at bat by Pitt’s Chris Wilmoth, who didn’t hesitate to take advantage of Duquesne’s mistake.

With two men on and only one out, Wilmoth hit a long shot over the center field fence. The score was inflated to 13-4 in favor of the Panthers and they were then able to give their starters a rest.

Several substitutes finished what the Panthers’ starting nine players began, scoring another run and ending the game with the 14-4 advantage.

The win continues a recent hot streak for the Panthers, who have now won 16 of their last 18 games. With an impressive 18 overall wins on the season, Pitt has a chance to reach the 20-win mark by the end of March. Jordano, however, sees more to his team than the number of wins.

“We want to win as many games as we can,” Jordano said, “but it’s just good to see that when we do positive things, we see the results.”

Jordano and the Panthers will go after win number 19 this afternoon against Xavier at 3 p.m. at Trees Field. The game will be the last for Pitt in its current 10-game homestand.