Rain‑delayed thriller in Charlotte
The quarterfinal of the Atlantic Coast Conference baseball tournament unfolded under a cloud of rain in Charlotte, forcing a two‑hour delay before play could resume.
Pitt drew first blood in the opening frame when Trey Fenderson launched a three‑run homer, giving the Panthers an early 3‑0 lead.
Starter Eddie Smink delivered four solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven, setting the tone for a disciplined pitching effort.
Reliever David Leslie shut the door with three hitless innings, earning the win as Pitt’s staff limited Florida State to six runs on eight hits.
The game swung in the eighth when Florida State’s Ben Barrett hit a grand slam to take a 6‑5 lead, only to see the Panthers rally.
The decisive ninth inning
In the ninth, Kai Wagner delivered the decisive blow, a three‑run homer that turned a 6‑5 deficit into an 8‑6 victory, finishing with four RBIs, three runs scored and a walk.
The win propels Pitt into the semifinals, where they will meet top seed North Carolina, a matchup that promises another clash of ACC powerhouses.