University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt
Bucknell
Pitt Hosts Bucknell in Home Opener to Kick Off Six-Game Homestand
2/24/2026 2:58:00 PM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH - The Pitt Panthers (4-2) will host Bucknell (1-5) in their home opener on Wednesday afternoon as they begin a six-game homestand at Charles L. Cost Field.
Pitt is coming off of a 2-1 weekend at the Kleberg Bank College Classic in Corpus Christi, TX with wins over Long Beach State and Cal State Bakersfield.
Top of the Order
• The Panthers have worked 56 walks over the first two weeks of the season, ranking them fifth in the ACC and 13th nationally.
• Pitt's offense is ranked fourth in all of the ACC. The Panthers are scoring 9.3 runs per game this season.
• Leadoff man AJ Nessler is hitting .435 and slugging .696 with 16 total bases, 10 hits, 10 runs scored, 5 RBIs and a home run so far this season. He's recorded a hit in five of Pitt's six games. Nessler is second on the team in walks with eight.
• LHP Vincent Spizzoucco struck out six and allowed just two base runners over seven shutout innings in Pitt's dominant 14-0 win over Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday. He earned his first win of the season and lowered his ERA to 1.80 with his performance.
• Pitt began the year with a series victory over Western Michigan in Port Charlotte, FL on Opening Weekend. The Panthers combined for 27 hits and 29 runs in their two wins.
• Pitt is one of three teams in the country to hit six home runs in a game this season.
• 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. Gray and McAuliff have each earned a win in relief for the Panthers this season.
• The Panthers welcomed 21 newcomers to campus for the 2026 season - among them are 16 transfers and five freshmen.
• Five key pieces of the Pitt lineup last season are back in 2026: C Sebastian Pisacreta, INF Caden Dulin, OF AJ Nessler, OF Lorenzo Carrier and OF Julian Irizarry
• Head Coach Mike Bell and the Panthers ushered in a new coaching staff in 2026, hiring Luke Bonfield, Sky Duff and Clay Martin.
