FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt baseball team, which will begin competition in its first season at the Petersen Sports Complex, has released its 2011 schedule.
“We have assembled a very competitive schedule that will be a great challenge for us,” Pitt head coach Joe Jordano said. “We have several teams that we have not played against in the past on this season’s schedule, so that will provide an additional test. Our team is working hard preparing for the season and we very much look forward to transitioning into the Petersen Sports Complex this season. It should be an exciting campaign.”
Pitt will compete against four teams who advanced to the NCAA Baseball Championship in 2010, as well as three teams who have received 2011 preseason rankings by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
The opening game at the newly-constructed complex will be held Feb. 25 against IPFW at 3 p.m., with a continuing series Feb. 26 and 27. Pitt’s season begins, however, on Feb. 18-20 in the Big East/Big Ten Challenge in Florida.
The Panthers will meet up with Illinois in the season-opener at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Fla., as part of the Big East/Big Ten Challenge on Feb. 18. Other games during the tournament include a matchup with Iowa on Feb. 19 at Brighthouse Field and a Feb. 20 meeting with Purdue at Raymond Naimoli Complex.
Pitt will host the Petersen Sports Complex Panther Classic March 18-20 including games against Niagara (March 18 and 20), Youngstown State (March 19) and Toledo (March 19). The Panthers then host both Akron on March 22 and Penn State on March 23 prior to opening up Big East play.
Connecticut plays host to Pitt for the start of Big East season March 25-27 in Storrs, Conn., for a top 30 match up between the 30th-ranked Panthers and No. 16 UConn.
Pitt’s home-opening league series will be held April 1-3 against Notre Dame with the Panthers also hosting Villanova (April 8-10), Rutgers (April 21-23), Cincinnati (April 30-May 1) and West Virginia (May 13-15). In addition to Connecticut, they will travel to Georgetown (April 15-17), No. 26-ranked St. John’s (May 6-8) and USF (May 19-21).
The Big East Tournament will again be played at Brighthouse Field May 24-28 in Clearwater, Fla., and NCAA Regional competition is slated for June 3-6.
Pittsburgh 2011 Baseball Schedule
