From the very beginning, this series felt destined for chaos—and Saturday delivered. Pitt stunned No. 3 Georgia Tech 14-9 in an electric, back-and-forth battle at Charles L. Cost Field, evening the series at 1-1 heading into Sunday’s rubber match. The tone was set immediately, as a first inning that stretched nearly 40 minutes featured eight combined runs, with Pitt emerging ahead 5-3 after one.

The early innings only amplified the fireworks. Through just three frames, the two offenses combined for 14 total runs, turning the game into a slugfest. Georgia Tech struck first with a three-run top of the first, but Pitt answered emphatically—highlighted by a three-run homer from Kai Wagner and a solo shot from Jackson Cooke—to seize control. Pitt continued to apply pressure in the second, plating three more to extend the lead.

Wagner powered the Panthers offensively, finishing with three hits and six RBIs, including his pivotal first-inning home run. Joey Baran added a massive three-run homer in the fourth inning, part of a four-run frame that gave Pitt breathing room. In total, Pitt launched four home runs and racked up 11 hits while capitalizing on eight walks to fuel the 14-run outburst. 

Georgia Tech never went quietly, tallying 10 hits and drawing 12 walks of their own. Carson Kerce led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Drew Rogers and Parker Brosius each homered to keep the Yellow Jackets within striking distance. Despite scoring in six different innings, Tech couldn’t overcome Pitt’s explosive middle frames. 

On the mound, Pitt used a bullpen-by-committee approach to settle things down after the early surge. Daniel McAuliff earned the win in relief, while Eddie Smink shut the door with three scoreless innings to secure the save. With the win, Pitt improves to 15-5 (3-2 ACC) and sets the stage for a decisive rubber match Sunday at 1 p.m., as both teams look to claim what has already become one of the most explosive series of the weekend.