NOTEBOOK: Panthers Conclude Week Two of Scrimmages

Sept. 26, 2016

PITTSBURGH - After wrapping up a successful second week of practices, the University of Pittsburgh baseball team competed in a pair of scrimmages over the weekend at Charles L. Cost Field.

Game one ended in a 0-0 draw after six innings of play, while the Blue team captured a 6-3 decision in 6.1 innings of Sunday's game two.

"We are making progress," said head coach Joe Jordano. "Most of the mistakes we are making are very correctable and are more individual in nature. I really like our tempo and our pitchers have been doing a solid job. Again, overall, I'm okay with where we are today, but moving forward we have to continue to improve."

Freshman Nico Popa led the offense on the weekend, going 3-10 with a walk. Liam Sabino also added a 3-10 performance, drawing a walk of his own, while Zach Zientarski, Nicholas Banman, David Yanni, Alex Griffith and P.J. DeMeo all posted multiple-hit weekends.

"Our freshman are doing a solid job," the skipper added. "We are throwing a lot of information at them right now and they have responded well and are getting it. "The arms are around the plate and commanding their secondary stuff, and the position players are executing in their areas. There is no question that they have a long way to go, but they are making noticeable progress."

On the mound, the pitching staff shined, allowing just six earned runs on the weekend. Richard Freure went 3.0 innings without allowing a run, surrendering just two hits and one walk in a three-strikeout performance. Sam Mersing also had a flashy outing, going three innings, allowing three hits and one walk, but no earned runs, while striking out four.

ACC All-Freshman honoree Yaya Chentouf continued his dominance, going two innings, striking out six of the seven batters he faced. Returning starter Josh Falk tossed 3.1 innings of work, allowing just one hit without surrendering a run or walk, striking out a pair.

"Our pitchers are throwing mostly fastballs and changeups. Our velocity was down a little bit this week, but again, our young arms are showing me some things as well as our returners," added Jordano." We have shut down a few guys that will be contributors for us this spring, so you have to factor that in as well."

Pitt will have an off day on Monday before returning to the diamond for week three of fall practices. Scrimmages will resume this weekend with action slated for 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. 23.

"Practice this week will focus on the process," Jordano said. "We want our players to be in the best possible position to hit, catch, throw or pitch a baseball. The method to mentally and physically be in a consistent, repeatable position is critical to our development. We are going to focus on that this week. We will play again on Saturday and Sunday and look forward to taking our game another step forward by the end of this week."

Fall Season Batting Leaders (min. 10 AB)