Pitt
6-1
Grambling State
1-5
Jordano Gets 800th Win as Pitt Sweeps Grambling State
2/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
RUSTON, La. - The Pitt baseball team used a monstrous 15-run seventh inning to lift itself over Grambling State by a score of 18-5, earning the series sweep. The Panthers reached a double-digit run total for the fourth time this season and improved to 6-1 on the year in the win. In the win, head coach Joe Jordano claimed his 800th career victory.
Pitt jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the ball game, scoring one run in the top of the first when catcher Alex Kowalczyk doubled home Charles LeBlanc. The Panthers offense then added two more runs in the third frame when both Jacob Wright and Kowalczyk each hit solo home runs.
Grambling State would battle back, however, using back-to-back home runs to tie the game at three in the bottom of the third. The Tigers then strung together a pair of hits to add one run in the fourth and hit a solo home run to add another in the sixth, giving them a 5-3 advantage.
"For six full innings, this was a dog-fight. [Grambling State starting pitcher Dian] Holbrook had us off balance and did a good job of mixing his pitches," said Jordano. "He knocked down quite a few key pitches."
In the seventh inning, the fireworks for the Panthers began. The inning was highlighted by homeruns by LeBlanc, Nick Yarnall (2), and Aaron Schnurbusch. LeBlanc totaled 5 RBIs in the inning, scoring twice. In all, Pitt batted around the order twice and tallied 15 runs on 15 hits in the inning.
For Yarnall, it was the second consecutive game in which he hit two home runs in the same inning. In three games against Grambling State, he left the ballpark five times, driving in eight runs and batting .571.
"In the seventh, our bats came alive, and as is sometimes the case, our bullpen made a difference," added Jordano. "Josh Falk came on in relief and shut the door. As is sometimes the case on Sundays or game three of a series, the bullpens make the difference."
Falk, who was credited as the winning pitcher, threw 3.1 innings and allowed just one hit. The junior is now 2-0 on the season and has allowed just two earned runs in 8.1 innings.
Freshman pitcher Collin Liberatore (1-0) made his second career start, striking out seven and allowing four runs on his way to a no-decision.
The Panthers will now focus their attention to the University of New Orleans, who they will take on for a three-game series next weekend (Mach. 4-6).
"This was a good weekend series sweep to lead us into another competitive weekend against UNO. They have been playing well, and it's going to very tough series. I'm looking forward to it."
Pitt will return to action next weekend as it travels to New Orleans for a three-game series with the Privateers. ACC action will get underway the following weekend as the Panthers travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., for a weekend series with the Tar Heels.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Falk, Josh (2-0)
L: Dian Holbrook (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Kowalczyk, Alex 3 ; Yanni, David 1
HR: Wright, Jacob 1 ; Leblanc, Charles 1 ; Yarnall, Nick 2 ; Kowalczyk, Alex 1 ; Schnurbusch, Aaron 1
RBI: Wright, Jacob 4 ; Leblanc, Charles 5 ; Yarnall, Nick 3 ; Kowalczyk, Alex 2 ; Schnurbusch, Aaron 2 ; Sherman, Ronnie 1 ; Parry, Caleb 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wright, Jacob 3 ; Leblanc, Charles 3 ; Yarnall, Nick 2 ; Kowalczyk, Alex 3 ; Schnurbusch, Aaron 2 ; Parry, Caleb 1 ; Maldonado, Frank 2 ; Johnson, Matt 2
CS: Johnson, Matt 1
HBP: Johnson, Matt 2
Batting:
HR: Larry Barraza 1 ; Caniel Barnett 1 ; Andres Castillo 1
RBI: Larry Barraza 2 ; Caniel Barnett 1 ; Andres Castillo 1 ; Malcom Boyce 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Larry Barraza 1 ; Caniel Barnett 1 ; Andres Castillo 1 ; Johan Mojica 1 ; Malcom Boyce 1
SB: Larry Barraza 1 ; Malcom Boyce 3
HBP: Larry Barraza 1 ; Tray Bell 1 ; Nicholas Wheeler 1
