PITTSBURGH \u2013\u00a0Pitt travels to the west coast for a seven-game road trip that begins with a stop at San Jose State. It will be the first time the two teams have met on the diamond in their histories.<\/p>\n
The Panthers have now won five games in a row and eight of their last nine. A winning streak of six or more games would be their longest since the 2021 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Top of the Order<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pitt’s offense is off to a scorching start. They rank 2nd in the country in OBP (.501), 4th in scoring (11.4), 4th in AVG (.352) and 8th in SLG (.586).\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Panthers went 5-0 over their five-game homestand last week. They scored 69 runs in their five wins \u2013 29 of those runs came via the long ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pitt leadoff man\u00a0AJ Nessler<\/a>\u00a0is hitting .409 with 27 total bases, 18 hits, 18 runs scored, eight RBIs and two home runs so far this season. He’s recorded multiple hits in seven games this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 First baseman\u00a0Carter Dierdorf<\/a>\u00a0has hit a home run of each of the last three games. He’s slugged two three-run home runs and a grand slam.<\/p>\n \u2022 Pitt has worked 98 walks so far this season, ranking them 3rd in the country and 3rd in the ACC. SS\u00a0Caden Dulin<\/a>\u00a0leads the ACC in walks\/game (1.56).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Left-handed pitcher\u00a0Vincent Spizzoucco<\/a>\u00a0struck out eight and allowed just one run over six innings in Pitt’s win over UNCG last Saturday. He’s struck out 14 batters while surrendering just one run over his last 15 innings of work.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 OF\u00a0Lorenzo Carrier’s<\/a>\u00a021 RBIs lead all of the ACC. He’s hitting .378 and slugging .757 with 14 hits, three doubles, one triple, three home runs and 28 total bases.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Pitt relievers LHP\u00a0Mikey Gray<\/a>\u00a0and RHP\u00a0Daniel McAuliff<\/a>\u00a0were named to the Stopper of the Year Preseason Watchlist by the NCBWA. The award is given annually to the country’s best relief pitcher.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 The Panthers welcomed 21 newcomers to campus for the 2026 season – among them are 16 transfers and five freshmen.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2022 Head Coach\u00a0Mike Bell<\/a>\u00a0and the Panthers ushered in a new coaching staff in 2026, hiring\u00a0Luke Bonfield<\/a>,\u00a0Sky Duff<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Clay Martin<\/a>.<\/p>\n Weekend Schedule<\/p>\n Friday, March 6 at 6:05 ET<\/p>\n RHP David Leslie<\/a> (Pitt) vs. TBA (San Jose State)<\/p>\n Saturday, March 7 at 4:05 ET<\/p>\n LHP Vincent Spizzoucco<\/a> (Pitt) vs. TBA (San Jose State)<\/p>\n Sunday, March 8 at 3:05 ET<\/p>\n