The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the New York Yankees 13-1 in Grapefruit League play Monday. The Bucs improved to 8-3 in the pre-season. Pirate starter Ivan Nova allowed a run on two hits over three innings. Jordy Mercer had his second home run of the season. The Pirates host Atlanta today in Bradenton.
In the opening game of the World Baseball Classic Monday: Israel defeated South Korea 2-1.
For the second consecutive week, Slippery Rock University junior pitcher Alex Pantuso has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division “pitcher of the week”. Pantuso earned the honor after tossing a career-high 14 strikeouts against Kutztown last weekend. He did not allow a run and held the Golden Bears to one hit over six shutout innings. His 14 k’s were the most in a single-game by a pitcher in the PSAC and the Atlantic Region so far. Pantuso has allowed just one hit and has struck out 21 batter in two outings this season.