Panthers Will Late Comeback, Fall Short in Game Two, 6-5

Friday, April 18

Durham, NC

6 PM

Pitt

18-18, 5-12

Duke

27-14, 11-9

Pittsburgh

Duke

Panthers Will Late Comeback, Fall Short in Game Two, 6-5

4/18/2025 9:48:00 PM | Baseball

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DURHAM, NC - Despite coming back to tie Friday's game in the eighth inning, the Panthers (18-18, 5-12) would fall in game two to Duke, 6-5.

For the second time in the last week, Gavin Miller had a pinch-hit, game-tying, base hit late in a game. Miller tied Friday's game on a pinch-hit two-run single in the top of the eighth inning. Last week at Virginia, he tied the series opener on a pinch-hit RBI single in the top of the ninth.

There have been seven games this season where the Panthers have tied or taken the lead in the eighth inning or later. They are 2-5 in those contests.

AJ Nessler had his 10th multi-hit game of the season on Friday night, leading all Panthers with two. Nessler went 2-4 with a walk and run scored. Ryan Zuckerman launched his team-leading 10th home run of the season in game two, setting a career high for home runs in a season. Gavin Miller collected his second pinch-hit single of the season, driving in two runs on a single in the eighth inning.

Ethan Firoved struck out five over 3.2 innings in relief and allowed just one run. That run, a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, would end up being the deciding factor in Friday evening's contest.

For the second-straight inning, Pitt's leadoff man reached as AJ Nessler singled up the middle to start the second inning. In a 1-2 count, Ryan Zuckerman hit an opposite field two-run home run, giving Pitt their first lead of the weekend.

The Panthers would load the bases later in the inning as Sebastian Pisacreta (walk), Derrick Tarpley Jr. (double) and Anthony LaSala (HBP) all reached in the top of the second. With one out, Pitt hit into a double play for the second-consecutive inning to end the threat.

Duke tied game two at two in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run to left field.

Pitt answered right back and regained their lead with a run in the top of the fourth. David Pedanou walked and stole his ninth base of the season to put himself in scoring position. The Panthers had runners at the corners for Anthony LaSala after Derrick Tarpley Jr. reached on an error. With Pedanou at third, LaSala laid down a sacrifice bunt which put Pitt back in front, 3-2 after four.

The Blue Devils scored three runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead back. They led 5-3 into the eighth inning.

The Panthers continued to fight, tying the game at five in the top of the eighth inning on a Gavin Miller pinch-hit single. Ryan Zuckerman walked to start the rally. With two outs, Pisacreta walked and pinch-hitter Jackson Cooke drew a hit-by-pitch to load the bases. For the second time in the last week, Gavin Miller delivered in a pinch-hitting role as he lined a two-run single that knotted the game at five in the eighth. Miller had a pinch-hit, game-tying, RBI single in the ninth inning at Virginia last weekend.

Duke's Noah Murray hit his second home run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Blue Devils the lead and ultimately the game. They took game two, 6-5.

Up Next

Saturday's series finale is scheduled for 1 PM tomorrow afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. Left-hander Ryan Reed will make his 10th start of the season.