Panthers Drop Opening Game at New Orleans

Friday, March 4

New Orleans, LA.

7:30 PM

Pitt

6-2

New Orleans

7-2

Pitt

New Orleans

Panthers Drop Opening Game at New Orleans

3/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 4, 2016

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS – The Pitt baseball team earned just its second loss of the season Friday evening under the lights at the University of New Orleans, dropping a 12-5 contest to the Privateers.

Pitt allowed 12 runs off of 15 hits to the Privateers, who improve to 7-2-0 on the year. While the Panthers recorded eight hits of their own, they stranded five runners and committed five errors on the loss.  

“Tonight was certainly not a very good performance by us,” said head coach Joe Jordano. “New Orleans outplayed us in all phases. They won the game no doubt and took full advantage of our mistakes."

New Orleans struck first as a single from Hezekiah Randolph brought around Aaron Palmer in the first inning, giving the Privateers the 1-0 lead. Pitt would answer in the second with a run of its own, courtesy of a solo shot to left field from Ron Sherman.

A two-run second inning from the Privateers swung the momentum back in favor of the home team, but the Panthers were able to score two of their own in the top of the third to tie the game for the second time. Frank Maldonado started the inning off with a single up the middle, advancing to second following a walk of Jacob Wright. Charles LeBlanc laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Nick Yarnall would strike out swinging, but advanced to first on a wild pitch before a rundown ensued, allowing Maldonado and Wright to score.

The Privateers took control over the next two innings, holding the Panthers off of the scoresheet while plating one in the third and three in the fourth to take a commanding 7-3 lead. In the third, a single from Jay Robinson would score Preston Marsh who got to first on a walk, advancing to second on a groundout.

In the fourth, a triple from Palmer set the pace as he would score when Dakota Dean reached on a fielding error. Randolph sent a single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Dean would score on a passed ball before Randolph would cross home on a throwing error to give New Orleans the 7-3 advantage.

The fifth and sixth innings were quiet as neither team was able to score. Wright would single in the top of the seventh and steal second before a single from LeBlanc would bring him around. LeBlanc advanced to second on the throw but was stranded as the inning came to an end with the Privateers on top 7-4.

New Orleans broke things open in the bottom of the seventh as Josh Falk loaded the bases with no outs. A triple from Aaron Palmer would clear the bags and give the Privateers a 10-4 lead. Dean would fly out to left field to score Palmer and New Orleans would close out the inning with an 11-4 advantage.

Alex Kowalczyk crushed a ball over the left field wall to lead off the eighth inning but that would be the only run of the stanza for the Panthers.  The Privateers added another run in the bottom of the frame to regain the seven-run lead and earn the 12-5 win.

“We had five freshmen out there today,” the skipper added. “They have to learn quick. We have to keep getting better each day. Today we did not. We have to put it behind us and move on to tomorrow.”  

With the loss the Panthers fall to 6-2-0 on the season. Game two if the series is set to take place on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. Live stats for all contests can be found here. In addition, a free audio stream will also be available here. Fans can also elect to purchase a subscription to view the games live by clicking here.

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Notes: Pitt falls to 0-2 in night contests on the season … the loss marks the third time this season that Pitt has surrendered 10 or more runs … the Panthers let up 10 on Feb. 19 vs. Niagara and surrendered 11 against Ohio State on Feb. 20 … the loss is the fourth all-time against New Orleans as the Privateers improve to 4-3 against the Panthers … Ron Sherman has now hit safely in 14 straight contests, the longest streak since Boo Vazquez from April 20, 2014 – May 10, 2014 … both Charles LeBlanc and Nick Yarnall have recorded hits in seven consecutive games … Aaron Schnurbusch has posted six straight hits … the Panthers used a total of eight pitchers in eight innings … heading into the contest the Panthers led the nation in home runs and churned out two more in game one against New Orleans, now totaling 21 on the season … the University of Illinois-Chicago is second in the nation with 18 home runs … the Panthers have recorded a home run in six of eight games this season.