April 8, 2001

Box Score

PITTSBURGH-Pittsburgh's baseball team dropped three games this past weekend to Connecticut as it fell to 3-10 in Big East Conference action, 15-15 overall.

In the first game on Saturday, the Panthers fell 7-4 despite a complete-game pitching effort by senior Matt Irvin (Derry, Pa./Derry Area). Irvin pitched all six innings, giving up seven runs (only four earned) and striking out one Husky batter.

Pittsburgh gave up four runs in the first inning and could not recover. Junior Brad Rea (Gibsonia, Pa./North Allegheny) finished 1-for-2 at the plate, including his team-best ninth home run, with two runs and one RBI. Juniors Eric Ackerman (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) and Tony Railing (Dallas, Texas/F.M. Marcus) and freshman Mike Zambriczki (Philadelphia, Pa./Council Rock) each collected two hits for the Blue and Gold.

Connecticut captured the nightcap on Saturday 3-1 and overcame another strong Panther pitching performance, this time by junior Joe Engel (S. Williamsport, Pa./Gulf Coast C.C.) and freshman Don Rhoten (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic). Engel, who took the loss, threw the first 6.1 innings, striking out six and surrendering only one earned run (three runs total). Rhoten came on in relief to pitch the final 1.2 innings, striking out two and giving up only one hit.

Railing once again provided the offensive spark for Pittsburgh in the second game, knocking out two hits in three at-bats.

On Sunday, Connecticut took an early lead again and held off Pittsburgh, 8-4, as the Blue and Gold were plagued by three costly errors in the game. Rhoten suffered loss on the mound, pitching 4.1 innings and striking out three Huskies.

Sophomore Brant Colamarino (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) had two hits in the game, including a solo home run. Senior Darrin Lenhart (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) added two hits for Pittsburgh with a triple and one run scored.

Pittsburgh looks to rebound as it travels to Duquesne on Tuesday for a 3 p.m. battle. This marks the third meeting between the two schools this year, with the Dukes capturing the first game 6-2 while the Panthers won the second contest 8-7.