Perez Homer Lifts Duke Over Pitt

Friday, March 20

Durham, N.C. (Durham Bulls Athletic Park)

6:00 PM

Duke University

Pittsburgh

Duke Welcomes Wake Forest for Final ACC Series

Perez Homer Lifts Duke Over Pitt

3/20/2015 11:21:00 PM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – Senior Andy Perez blasted a three-run home run to break a 2-2 tie in the fifth and Duke held on to beat Pittsburgh, 5-3, in the series opener Friday evening at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Perez went 2-for-4 to lead the Duke (17-5, 3-4 ACC) offense, adding three RBI, two runs scored and his nation-leading 21st stolen base. His homer in the fifth was his second of the season and eighth of his career.

“Coach Pollard comes up to me right when the pitching change was being made,” said Perez. “He said 'I want you to swing away right here. If you get a fastball I want you to be ready and I want you to drive it.' Luckily the kid comes in and throws a fastball over the heart of the plate and I luckily put a good swing on it.”

Junior Michael Matuella pitched well in the no decision, scattering five hits while allowing two runs, just one earned. Matuella struck out five over 6.1 innings of work and walked two.

Freshman Mitch Stallings (3-2) came on in relief to earn the win. Stallings pitched an inning, giving up a run on two walks. Junior Kenny Koplove registered the final five outs, all via strikeout, for his fifth save of the season.

Pitt (9-11, 3-4 ACC) got off to a quick start, scoring a lone run in the top of the first. Left fielder Jacob Wright singled on the first pitch of the at bat and moved to second on a groundout. Wright came home on an Alex Kowalcyzk RBI single before catcher Mike Rosenfeld threw out Kowalcyzk trying to steal second.

An unearned run in the fifth put the Panthers up 2-0. An Aaron Schnurbusch leadoff walk proved costly as the Pitt center fielder wound up scoring on an Eric Hess sacrifice fly. Schnurbusch advanced to second on a catcher's interference call and moved to third on a passed ball.

After leaving four runners on over the first four frames, the Blue Devils broke through with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. A. Perez started things off with a two-out single, then stole second to move into scoring position. Freshman Max Miller drew the four-pitch walk to set the tables to freshman pinch hitter Michael Smiciklas. Smiciklas delivered a huge RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to one. The Blue Devils executed the double steal to perfection as Miller slid under the tag to tie the game at two-all.

“Smiciklas came into the box ready to execute,” said head coach Chris Pollard. “Not only did he execute in the box with the base hit but he did a great job with the delay steal on the double steal. A great example of why you always stay mentally involved in the ballgame.”

Duke took command of the game in the seventh, beginning with a Jalen Phillips single and Evan Dougherty walk. Pitt removed starter T.J. Zeuch in favor of right-hander Matt Pidich and Perez proceeded to drive the first pitch he saw over the center field wall.

Zeuch (2-2) ultimately suffered the loss after allowing four runs on five hits. Zeuch struck out eight over six innings while also walking four.

After Stallings pitched an inning in relief, Koplove took the mound with one out and two runners on in the eighth. The Panthers scored a run on a couple wild pitches before Koplove buckled down and struck the next two batters.

Koplove fanned Schnurbusch to start the ninth before Pitt threatened with a walk and a single. Undeterred, Koplove struck out the next two batters, both swinging, to finish the game.

Duke and Pitt return to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 1 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 21 for the second game of the series.

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