Boston College baseball (9-17, 4-8 Atlantic Coast) will host Pittsburgh (15-10, 4-8) this weekend, attempting to snap a six-game losing streak. The Eagles have struggled in all facets of the game lately, losing in the semifinals of the Beanpot for the first time in four years to Harvard on Wednesday after being swept on the road against Clemson over the weekend. They’ll look to turn things around against a Panthers squad that is currently tied for last in the ACC Coastal Division.
Who is BC playing?
Pittsburgh
When is BC playing?
Saturday, April 7, 1 p.m., 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 8, 1 p.m.
Where is BC playing?
Brighton Baseball Field, Brighton, Mass.
How to Watch:
The games will not be broadcasted on television, but live coverage can be found on the WZBC Sports radio online livestream.
Probable Pitching Matchups:
RHP Jacob Stevens (3-3, 3.96 ERA) vs. RHP RJ Freure (2-1, 4.03 ERA)
LHP Dan Metzdorf (0-4, 6.10 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Pidich (3-1, 3.48 ERA)
RHP Brian Rapp (2-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Blair Calvo (2-1, 4.03 ERA)
By the Numbers:
BC:
1) Despite struggling the past four games—a stretch in which he is a combined 2-of-16—senior infielder Jake Palomaki still ranks second in the ACC with a .373 batting average, and fifth in the conference with 41 hits.
2) Junior catcher Gian Martellini continues to impress defensively. He has caught 11 runners stealing thus far in 2018, leading the ACC in that department.
3) Thomas Lane has allowed 16 baserunners so far this season, but none of them have crossed the plate. He is also holding opposing batters to a .151 average, a mark which leads BC pitchers.
Pittsburgh:
1) The Panthers’ team batting average of .257 ranks 10th in the ACC. They are better on defense, though, as their .976 fielding percentage is good for third in the conference.
2) Pittsburgh’s offense is led by junior infielder Liam Sabino, who boasts a .341 batting average and 31 hits, both team highs.
3) Possible series opening starter R.J. Freure leads the team in strikeouts with 47 in just 29 innings pitched, and struck out two in his start against Virginia last weekend.
Last Meeting:
BC and Pittsburgh last met during the 2016 season at Pittsburgh’s Petersen Sports Complex. The Eagles managed to steal the first game of the series by a score of 6-4 before the Panthers fought back, taking the last two games 5-0 and 5-4 and grabbing a series win.
Outlook:
The Eagles are desperately searching for some positive momentum at this point in the season, and a series against Pittsburgh, a team that profiles similarly to BC in most statistical categories, could give the Eagles a chance to pick up their second ACC series win of the season. To do so, Dan Metzdorf and Jacob Stevens will have to turn in some improved pitching performances, and BC will have to find a way to muster the timely hits it’s lacked for much of the season. At home, the Eagles should feel good about their chances to take at least two of three from the Panthers.
Featured Image by Kaitlin Meeks / Heights Editor
