Georgetown lost to Pittsburgh, 10-8, in collegiate baseball action in the final contest of a three-game series held at Shirley Povich Field on Sunday. The BIG EAST Conference showdown gives the Panthers (8-4, 2-1 BIG EAST) a 2-1 series advantage over of the Hoyas (4-13, 1-2 BIG EAST) after Pittsburgh won game one and Georgetown game two on Saturday.

The Hoyas put themselves on top 2-0 in the first after sophomore left fielder Jason Boice (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) scored off a Jim Vankoski (Aston, Pa./Strath Haven) single and second baseman Mike Green (McLean, Va./Landon School) came around on a fielders choice. The lead lasted just two innings as Pittsburgh drove in one in the third, two in the fourth and fifth, and three more in the sixth to take a 8-2 lead. The Panthers added another two runs in the top of the eight increasing their lead to 10-2.

GU mounted a comeback and looked to take the lead in the bottom of the ninth scoring six runs and loading the bases without any outs. Junior Phil Pierorazio (Scarsdale, N.Y./Eastchester) led off the inning with a walk followed by a single from senior Brian Cassese (Scarsdale, N.Y./Eastchester). Senior Jay Catalano (Hunting Valley, Ohio/Univ. School) walked to load the bases for pinch-hitter Brett McLeod (St. Albert, Alberta/Paul Kane). The freshman singled trimming the lead to 10-3. The Hoyas continued to chip away taking advantage of two singles, two walks, and a hit batsman cutting the deficit to 10-8 without an out and the bases loaded. The Panthers went to the bullpen and got the Hoyas next three batters to strike out, pop up, and hit into a fielders choice ending the comeback.

Seniors Eric Santana (Santurce, P.R./Edgewood) and Vankoski each had two RBIs for the Hoyas. Catcher Chariss Britt led the Panther attack going 3-5 with two homeruns. Freshman Kevin Field (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) started on the mound for the Hoyas going five innings allowing five runs off nine hits and striking out seven. Joe Engel recorded the win for Pittsburgh.

Georgetown hosts Long Island University on Monday (3/19) at 3:00 p.m. in Bethesda, Maryland at Shirley Povich Field. The Hoyas continue their BIG EAST Conference play on Saturday and Sunday (3/24-25) as they host both St. Johns and Boston College in double-headers respectively.