Boston College Athletics
Boston College
The Big East Championship - Pittsburgh
Baseball Loses To Pittsburgh In 12 Innings
May 27, 2005 | Baseball
May 28, 2005
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - Boston College was eliminated from the Big East Baseball Championship on Friday when it lost to Pittsburgh in twelve innings. Two BC pitchers combined to pitch a spectacular game, but it was not enough, as Pittsburgh will move on to play Notre Dame in Saturday's Championship game.
The Eagles (37-20) were one strike away from a victory.
In the top half of the twelfth BC had broken a 1-1 tie to take a one run lead.
With two outs, Drew Locke tripled to center. The next two batters, Jared McGuire and Jason Delaney, walked to load the bases. Shawn McGill hit a routine grounder up the middle that was bobbled by second baseman Jim Negrych allowing Delaney to be safe at second. Locke scored on the play giving the Eagles what they thought would be the game-winning run.
Pitt (33-21) looked like it would follow that plan too. The first two batters were retired. Shortstop Jimmy Mayer then singled through the left side. It was then that Jim Negrych, who had made the costly error earlier in the inning, stepped to the plate. With two strikes on him, he hit a towering shot to center that cleared both walls at Commerce Bank Park. It was his second home run of the game.
The game featured superb pitching performances by each team. Nate Jeanes started the game for the Eagles and allowed only one run and three hits in his 6 2/3 innings of work. He struck out six. Kevin Boggan relieved him and was perfect until the home run. He received the loss.
Andrew Kuss started for the Panthers and gave up only one run. Paul Nardozzi earned the win for his four innings of work where he allowed only one run, which was unearned.
The only other inning that the two teams scored in was the fourth. In the top half of the inning, Kuss hit Jared McGuire. Jason Delaney then doubled moving McGuire to third. He later scored on a Mike Flynn single. Pittsburgh's run came from Jim Negrych's first home run, also over the centerfield wall.
The game was BC's last as a member of the Big East Conference. The team will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference next year.
