Eighth Inning Hit Pushes Pitt Past Delaware

Sunday, February 19

Kissimmee, Fla.

11:00 AM

Pitt

3-1

Delaware

0-4

Delaware

Pittsburgh

Eighth Inning Hit Pushes Pitt Past Delaware

2/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

KISSIMMEE, FL - A single from David Yanni in the eighth inning pushed two runs across for the University of Pittsburgh baseball team as they claimed a 3-2 decision over Delaware in the final game of the Sunshine State Classic Sunday afternoon at Osceola Heritage Park.

With the score tied at 1-1 for four innings of play, the right field single from Yanni allowed Jacob Wright and Caleb Parry to score as Pitt downed the Blue Hens for the second time on the weekend.

Pitt struck first in the opening stanza, as a walk to Parry and single from Frank Maldonado put a pair on. A single from designated hitter Zach Zientarski would plate Parry as Pitt went up 1-0.

Freshman Dan Hammer got the call for the Panthers on the bump, making his first career start in his collegiate debut. The righty from Philadelphia retired the first six batters he faced before his only hiccup in the third. A lead-off triple to right from Diaz Nardo got things going before an infield single from Jeremy Ake would plate the runner, tying things up.

Hammer would settle down, pitching around a one-out walk and a lead-off single in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, and retiring the side in order in the sixth. In his final frame, he would allow a lead-off single before getting back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout to end the inning.

On the afternoon, Hammer went 7.0 innings, allowing just one run off five hits and two walks, fanning seven batters. He retired 25 of the 28 batters he faced.

The bottom of the eighth was the highlight for Pitt as a two-out double from Wright got the offense buzzing. After Parry took a pitch to the back, putting runners on first and second, Maldonado would send a single to the second baseman, loading the bases up for Yanni. A right field single for the Pitt shortstop would be all Pitt would need to secure the win, as the sophomore gave Pitt a 3-1 advantage.

The Blue Hens didn't go quietly though, as a ninth inning comeback was muffled by closer Yaya Chentouf. With Isaac Mattson on the bump, a single, hit by pitch and walk would load the bases with two outs. Delaware would bring one around off of an infield single before Jordano chose to call on Chentouf.

Appearing in his first game since a blown save attempt against Kansas State, Chentouf showed his dominance, getting his first batter to line out to Alex Amos, ending the game.

With the win, Pitt improves to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 all-time against Delaware. The Panthers are winners of two straight after knocking off the Buckeyes of Ohio State in a 7 p.m. nightcap on Saturday.

Pitt will return to the diamond next weekend, traveling to Vero Beach, Fla., for a three-game series with Siena. The Panthers will play one against Saints before squaring off in a twin bill on Saturday at Historic Dodgertown.

NOTES: The game was the 100th career start for senior outfielder Jacob Wright, who transferred to the University of Pittsburgh prior to the 2014 season … David Yanni led the offensive charge, going 2-4 with two RBI … Zach Zientarski was 1-2 with one RBI … Nico Popa went 2-3 … Jacob Wright added a 1-4 with one run scored performance … Caleb Parry finished the afternoon 0-2 with two runs scored … the start was the first of the year for freshman Dan Hammer, as he made his collegiate debut … the start was the first of his career for Zientarski … Canadian hurler RJ Freure also made his collegiate debut, collecting the win after coming in relief of Hammer for 1.0 inning of work … the save was the first of the season for sophomore Yaya Chentouf who was named to the NCBWA Preseason Stopper of the Year Watchlist.

#H2P | Twitter | Instagram