Panthers Offense Shines in 17-5 Win over SIUE

Sunday, April 30

Pittsburgh, Pa.

1:00 PM

Pitt

19-21

SIUE

18-24

SIU Edwardsville

Pittsburgh

Panthers Offense Shines in 17-5 Win over SIUE

4/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH - The University of Pittsburgh offense exploded for an 18-hit, 17-run performance Sunday afternoon as the Panthers downed Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) 17-5 in the finale of a three-game series at Charles L. Cost Field.

The game was called after seven innings due to travel restrictions for the visiting Cougars, but Pitt needed just six innings for its offense to collect 18 hits, including three homers, for the series win.

"I thought that we certainly came out and did a good job," said head coach Joe Jordano. "We knew, coming in, as I mentioned yesterday, that SIUE could definitely swing the bats and they can pitch a little bit and they certainly can make plays. So we had to come out and win the game and we did that today. We got out to a tough start again being down 2-0 after the top of the first and then we get a run back. Then we just got to a 4-1 deficit and came back from that, then we kind of opened it up a little bit.

"Hats off to the Cougars. I thought they played very hard. I was really impressed with some of their hitters and they kept battling, they just never went away. That's a compliment to coach and his club over there, I'm sure they're going to be a factor down the stretch. I thought we did a really good job making some adjustments at the plate, being patient, taking some good at bats, and once again, we played clean defensively. The bullpen did a great job as well. Overall, I was pleased with the performance."

The Cougars took the first lead of the game in the first as the visiting team got after freshman starter Dan Hammer in the opening frame. A single into right got the game underway before a two-run homer by Keaton Wright gave the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.

Pitt would get one back in the second as a single through the right side by Frank Maldonado scored Alex Amos, who was hit by a pitch to lead off for the Panthers.

The two teams exchanged runs in the second as a hit by pitch, steal and fly out allowed SIUE to put a runner in scoring position with one out. A sacrifice fly scored the man as regained a two-run advantage. That wouldn't last long, however, as Pitt got the run back in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back singles by Nick Banman and Yaya Chentouf put a pair on for an RBI single to center by Amos.

Hammer surrendered his final run in the third after a double and single put runners on the corners for a single into left by cleanup man Dustin Woodcock.

The Panthers' offense exploded in the third, plating eight runs to take a commanding 10-4 lead as 13 men came to the plate for Pitt in the inning. Caleb Parry got things going with a solo homer to left center in just the third pitch of the frame, cutting the SIUE lead to just one.

After a pair of quick outs, Pitt scored seven straight as SIUE was forced to use three pitchers in the inning. Manny Pazos doubled to right and was brought around by a two-run homer off the bat of Banman. Alex Griffith would draw a walk, moving to second on a single by Chentouf as the pair moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Amos would walk to load the bases and Jacob Wright would draw the second straight walk to bring Griffith home.

In his second at bat of the inning, Parry singled into center, scoring Chentouf and Amos and again chasing the SIUE pitcher. Parry and Wright would complete a successful double steal before Maldonado walked to again juice the bases. A double off the bat of DeMeo scored Wright and Parry as the Panthers went up 10-4.

Hammer silenced the Cougars in the fourth, working around a leadoff bunt single to retire the side. The Cougars would get one back in the fifth as reliever Chris Gomez got a pair of quick outs before back-to-back hits up the middle scored a runner, cutting Pitt's lead to 10-5.

Pitt's offense responded in the bottom of the frame, getting the run back after a double from Wright and an RBI single by Parry as things stood at 11-5 in favor of the home team.

The Panthers had another strong outing in the sixth, as six runs came across on five hits, giving the Panthers a commanding lead. Pazos would single up the middle, followed by a walk to Banman to put two on for an RBI double by Griffith. An infield single by Chentouf loaded the bases before SIUE got a double play, but allowed a run. With two outs, Wright would walk to chase the pitcher and put men on the corners.

Continuing his impressive afternoon, Parry would jack a three-run shot over the wall in left center in the next at bat. Pitt kept the inning alive as Maldonado was struck by a pitch, coming home on a double by DeMeo. The Cougars would get out of the inning as Banman recorded his first out of the afternoon, a grounder to the second baseman, and the Panthers went up 17-5.

Parry led the offensive charge for the Panthers, going 4-5 with seven RBIs, including a pair of homers and three runs scored. Banman was 3-4 with two RBI, three runs scored, a home run and walk, while DeMeo was 2-5 with three RBIs.

Hammer got the win, improving to 2-3 the season. Gomez tossed 2.0 innings of relief, allowing one run off three hits with two strikeouts. Mattson closed it out, throwing one inning of scoreless relief, adding two strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action Tuesday and Wednesday, hosting Maryland Eastern Shore at Charles L. Cost Field. Game one is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday with the finale to follow at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

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