No. 8 Virginia Drops Finale at Pitt

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Pitt (21-13, 9-8 ACC) clinched its fourth-straight series with a 4-1 victory over No. 8 Virginia (27-9, 10-8 ACC) on Sunday (April 17). The Panthers scored the game’s final three runs and held UVA scoreless over its final five trips to the plate.

Six of the seven Cavalier hits on the day came with two outs and for the second time in the series Virginia was charged with multiple fielding errors. Only two of the four Panther runs were earned.

Virginia turned a triple play in the fifth inning to escape a bases loaded jam unscathed in the fifth inning.   It was the first triple play by UVA since February 14, 2004 against NC A&T, the first game of Brian O’Connor’s coaching career. Going into the weekend only three other teams have turned a triple play this season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Panthers grabbed the early 1-0 lead, capitalizing on a pair of Cavalier defensive miscues. Designated hitter Jack Anderson came around to score on a Josh Overbeek sacrifice fly. It marked the 10^th time an opponent has scored first against Virginia this season. Five of UVA’s nine losses have come when an opponent has scored the first run.
• Chris Newell knotted the game up at one in the top of the fourth with an RBI double to the gap in right center. It was the 12^th double of the series and only extra base hit of the game for Virginia.

• Pittsburgh recaptured the lead in its half of the fourth, scoring another run on a sacrifice fly. Nick Giamarusti flew out to left with the bases loaded and allowed Tommy Tavarez to score from third.
• The Panthers tacked on two more runs, one unearned, in the seventh. Ron Washington Jr. had a pinch-hit single to make the score 4-1.
• Brandon Neeck, who was on the mound for triple play, struck out four batters including three in the sixth inning to strand a pair of Panther runners.
• Pitt starting pitcher Billy Corcoran logged seven innings did not allow an earned run to earn the win. He combined with Baron Stuart to retire the final 13 Cavaliers in order. Stuart was credited with his fifth save of the season.

FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN O’CONNOR

“Pitt’s starting pitcher (Billy Corcoran) was outstanding. Their pitching was just really superior today. When you can spot your fastball like he did and throw your changeup at any count, you’re going have a chance to be successful and he just had us tied into knots and did a terrific job. There were a handful of times that we had opportunities to drive runs and didn’t do it and when you’re facing great pitching like that, it’s going to be a tough day and we just couldn’t match them. A credit to them.”

UP NEXT: Virginia will wrap up its four-game road trip on Tuesday when it visits VCU for a non-conference tilt at The Diamond in Richmond. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and can be heard on WINA.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• The UVA triple play in 2004 against NC A&T ended the game and sealed O’Connor’s first career victory. It was scored 5-4-3, a play started by Ryan Zimmerman at third, a putout by Kyle Werman at second and the final out to Joe Koshansky at first.