Panthers Fall in Back-and-Forth Series Finale

Sunday, February 23

Cary, NC

12:30 PM

Pitt

5-1

Monmouth

3-4

MONMOUTH

PITTSBURGH

Panthers Fall in Back-and-Forth Series Finale

2/23/2025 7:37:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score

CARY, NC - Pitt fell to Monmouth in their series finale on Sunday afternoon, 7-6. The Panthers clinched the series on Saturday and are now 5-1 to start the year.

AJ Nessler notched the first four-hit game of his career on Sunday as he went 4-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Gavin Miller and Ryan Zuckerman each collected multiple hits as well, both going 2-5. Miller drove in a run on an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning.

Luke Cantwell went 1-4 with an RBI double and a walk, extending his on-base streak to 57 games dating back to last season. Cantwell leads the team in walks with 10. Sebastian Pisacreta collected his fifth and sixth RBIs of the season on a two-run single in the third.

Despite the decision, Ethan Firoved was solid out of the bullpen for the Panthers. He struck out five batters and allowed one earned run over 4.2 innings in relief. Kyle Demi struck out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning today, he's now struck out seven of the fifteen batters he's faced this season.

Pitt scored in the bottom of the first inning like they had in game two and led 1-0 early. AJ Nessler had a two-out infield single and moved to second after Lorenzo Carrier worked a full-count walk. With Jayden Melendez at the plate, Nessler scored on an error by the shortstop and the Panthers got on the board first.

Monmouth would tack on three runs on two hits and an error in the top of the third inning to take a 3-1 lead.

The Panthers answered right back with a three-run inning of their own as they regained their lead and led 4-3 after three full frames. Zuckerman and Nessler each singled to lead off the inning while Carrier drew another walk to load the bases with nobody out. Pisacreta lined a two-run single into the gap in right centerfield that scored Zuckerman and Nessler, knotting the game at three all. The sophomore from Moorestown, NJ would however by nabbed at second trying to advance an extra base. With Carrier now at third, Gavin Miller laced an RBI single up the middle and put the Panthers in front 4-3.

Monmouth responded with two runs in the top of the fourth inning on two sacrifice flies and now led 5-4.

In the bottom of the sixth innings, Pitt regained the lead once again with two runs on two hits and led 6-5 after six. David Pedanou led off the inning with a walk, stole second and would eventually make his way to third, putting himself in scoring position with one out. Luke Cantwell ripped an RBI double into the right centerfield gap and drove in Pedaou, tying the game once again. AJ Nessler lined his fourth hit of the day into right and scored Cantwell from second as the Panthers led 6-5 after six.

The Hawks tied it in the eight and took the lead with a run and ninth as Pitt fell in the series finale, 7-6.

Up Next

The Panthers host Bucknell for their home opener at 3 PM this Tuesday, February 25 at Charles L. Cost Field. All home games at Charles L. Cost Field this spring are free of admission.