University of Pittsburgh Athletics
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Western Michigan
Pitt Begins Their 2026 Season Against Western Michigan in Port Charlotte, FL
2/12/2026 2:46:00 PM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt begins their 2026 campaign in Port Charlotte, FL against the Western Michigan Broncos. It marks the seventh-straight year that the Panthers have begun their season at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte.
Friday's game will be just the second time in history that the two programs have played each other.
Last year, the Panthers swept the Eastern Michigan Eagles on Opening Weekend. They have swept their first opponent of the year in each of the last two seasons.
TOP OF THE ORDER
• The Panthers return their top two hitters from a year ago in INF Caden Dulin and OF AJ Nessler. Dulin led the team in batting average (.337) while Nessler led the squad in hits with 67.
• Pitt relievers LHP Mikey Gray and RHP Daniel McAuliff were named to the Stopper of the Year Preseason Watchlist by the NCBWA. The award is given annually to the country's best relief pitcher.
• Pitt welcomed 21 newcomers to campus for the 2026 season. Among them are 16 transfers and five freshmen.
• Seven key pieces of the Pitt lineup last season return in 2026: C Sebastian Pisacreta, INF Caden Dulin, INF Jake Kendro, OF AJ Nessler, OF Lorenzo Carrier, OF Julian Irizarry, and OF Derrick Tarpley Jr.
• RHP Drew Lafferty is back in his Sunday role for the 2026 season. Lafferty made 10 of his 14 starts on Sunday last year. He allowed just one run in his final two outings (10 innings) of 2025.
• Pitt true freshman OF Mason Ligenza was drafted in the 6th round (195 overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 MLB Draft. He leaves high school as the second-highest drafted player that will play college baseball in 2025.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, February 13 at 1 PM
RHP David Leslie (Pitt) vs. RHP Ty McKinstry (WMU)
Saturday, February 14 at 1 PM
LHP Vincent Spizzoucco (Pitt) vs. RHP Sam Carlisle (WMU)
Sunday, February 15 at 11:30 AM
RHP Drew Lafferty (Pitt) vs. RHP Ricky Kidd (WMU)
All games this weekend will be streamed on FloSports.
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