Offense Comes Alive in 8-2 Victory over Bucknell

Sunday, February 24

Spartanburg, SC

10 AM

Pitt

3-3

Bucknell

0-5

Bucknell

Pittsburgh

Offense Comes Alive in 8-2 Victory over Bucknell

2/24/2019 2:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Season Statistics Box Score (PDF)

Yanni Homers as Panthers Down Bucknell in Spartanburg, S.C.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The University of Pittsburgh baseball team concluded the Wofford-USC Upstate Tournament Sunday afternoon, defeating Bucknell 8-2 at Russell C. King Stadium on the campus of Wofford.

Pitt (3-3, 0-0 ACC) used a big first inning to jump out to an early lead, continuing to add to its advantage as the Panther pitching staff stifled the Bison offense.

"It's always great to win on getaway day and this is another game that we can build on as a team," said head coach Mike Bell. "Our pitchers did a great job of attacking the zone and pitching with the lead. It was great to see the middle of the lineup drive the ball today and put together some quality at bats."

The Panthers plated three in the opening inning, as the middle of the lineup capitalized on some situational at bats, to put Pitt on top. After a fielder's choice by Cole MacLaren and a single by Kyle Hess put a pair on, Ron Washington Jr. would belt his first of two doubles on the afternoon to left center, scoring both runners. A walk to David Yanni put two on for Nico Popa, who would smack a double to right, scoring Washington Jr. to give the Panthers the 3-0 advantage.

Pitt added to its lead in the fourth when Hess would double into the left center gap, plating Connor Perry who had reached on a bunt single and took second on a single through the right side by MacLaren.

Bucknell got back into it in the fourth, scoring two unearned runs to cut the Panther lead in half. The Panthers responded in the bottom of the frame, as a few defensive miscues by the Bison allowed Pitt to take a 6-2 lead.

Things would quiet as both pitching staffs found a groove, but Yanni would seal the game in the eighth, launching a two-run homer, his first of the season, to left field to secure the 8-2 win.

Christian Camacho (1-1) earned his first career victory as a Panther, allowing just two unearned runs off three hits and one walk, striking out five. Freshman Billy Corcoran tossed 2.0 solid innings of relief, letting up just one hit and striking out three. Sophomore Chris Cappas was also solid in relief allowing two hits in 2.0 innings, striking out two. Freshman Brady Devereux closed things out, not allowing a base runner and striking out two in the final frame.

Offensively, the Panthers tallied 10 hits, led by Perry's 3-4 performance. Washington Jr. and Yanni wrapped up the afternoon with a pair of RBI.

Pitt will return to action next weekend, traveling back to Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla., for a four-game set. The Panthers will face Hofstra, Saint Peter's, Butler and Central Michigan in the final weekend tune up before ACC play.

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