CLEMSON- Pitt pounded out 12 base hits, all coming in the first four innings, en route to an 8-4 win over No. 6 Clemson, as the Panthers evened up the weekend series by taking the first game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 8-1 and looking for a little ninth inning magic. It wasn't meant to be, though, as a 3-run shot by Blake Wright, his team-leading 15th home run of the season, pulled Clemson to within 8-4, but that was as close as they would get.
For the second straight game Clemson's starting pitcher failed to make it out of the third inning, as Ethan Darden allowed five runs on eight hits, with a walk and a strikeout. The lefty exited after the first two runners reached in the third and with the loss, drops to 5-2 on the season.
Relivers Jacob McGovern, Chance Fitzgerald and Nathan Dvorsky all combined to hold Pitt scoreless over the final five innings.
After Darden retired the first two hitters of the game, Pitt would hit four straight singles, giving the Panthers an early 2-0 lead. The inning would end when Alden Mathes gunned down Dom Popa at the plate trying to score from second on the last of the consecutive singles.
Pitt added another run in the second on an RBI single from Luke Cantwell with one out that put the Panthers up 3-0.
Pitt broke things open in the third, pushing across four more runs, and chasing Darden in the process. The frame was highlighted by a mammoth 3-run homer out to left by Josh Spiegel. All four runs came before the Tigers recorded an out in the inning, as the Panthers took a commanding 7-0 lead.
A bases-loaded walk in the fourth issued by freshman Jacob McGovern would push the Pitt lead to 8-0.
Clemson finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh. With runners at the corners and just one out, Cam Cannarella grounded sharply to second. While the Panthers got the lead runner at second, Cannarella beat the throw to first with Jarren Purify coming home to score from third, making it 8-1.
Purify finished the game 3-for-4 with a run scored, while Cannarella and Jimmy Obertop both had 2-hit games.
Clemson falls to 31-7 overall and 12-5 in ACC play. Pitt moves to 16-20 and 5-15.
Up Next: The two teams will face off one more time this afternoon with the series on the line. First pitch is scheduled for approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.
If you want to place your bet for the NBA, NHL, MLB, College Football or any other sporting events, go to BetOnline.ag and enter the code ACTTV for a 50% welcome bonus up to $1000. With the earliest lines, biggest bets, and fastest payouts, Betonline.ag is the place to go. Don’t forget to use the code ACTTV!
