Baseball Upended By Pittsburgh on First Day of Caravalle Resort Tournament

Conway, S.C. - Designated hitter Kevan Smith recorded three hits, scored three runs and drove in three more to lead Pittsburgh to an 18-4 win over UAlbany on the first day of the Caravalle Resort Tournament, hosted by Coastal Carolina at Watson Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Pittsburgh (6-1) jumped out to an early lead, scoring one run in the bottom of the first and adding on three more in the second. The Panthers' first two batters were hit by pitches to get on base in the second frame. After a fielder's choice got the first out of the inning for the Great Danes, Pittsburgh loaded the bases with a walk by Danny Lopez. Left fielder John Schultz knocked a single to drive in the first run, while Joe Leonard followed with a two-RBI single through the left side to send the final runs home. The Great Danes then turned a double play to end the inning. UAlbany scored its first run of the game with a solo home run by Pete Eichner in the top of the third.

The Panthers added a single run in the fifth with a homer by Smith to take a 5-1 lead. Pittsburgh then exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning and five more in the seventh to shut down the UAlbany pitchers. The Panthers produced five hits in the sixth, including a three-RBI double to left center by Zach Duggan. Pittsburgh added five runs on five hits in the seventh, with two-run homers by Leonard and Smith.

UAlbany responded to Pittsburgh's seven-run sixth with three runs in the seventh, as Brendan Rowland and Pete DiResta both recorded home runs for the Great Danes. Rowland's solo shot sailed over the left field fence, while DiResta drove in Kyle Crean, who singled to reach base, with a long ball to left center. The Panthers tacked on one final run in the bottom of the eighth to set the final score.

Right hander Nathan Hood earned the win for Pittsburgh, striking out seven UAlbany batters in 7.2 innings of work. Alex Caravella tossed the final 1.1 innings in relief. Dave Kubiak fell to 0-2 with the loss on the mound for UAlbany after striking out three opposing batters in 5.0 innings. Relievers Mike Baltera and Brian Derschowitz both struck out one batter.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information