The first two national seeds were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, with No. 11 Oklahoma State and No. 13 Auburn each failing to win a game as a regional host for the first time.
Victor Mederos pitches against Duke on April 3 at Mark Light Field. Photo credit: Alex Carnochan
Miami freshman pitcher Victor Mederos took the mound in Pittsburgh on Saturday looking to help Miami even the three-game series, but after a one-two-three first inning, the right-hander failed to maintain momentum in the second and No. 17 Pittsburgh held off No. 20 Miami 6-4 Charles L. Cost Field.
Mederos (1-3) was lifted after only two innings, allowing four earned runs and walking two batters, as Miami (17-10, 10-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell behind early on a three-run Pittsburgh attack in the second frame.
Pittsburgh (16-10, 11-9 ACC) continued to capitalize in the fourth inning with UM sophomore right-hander Jake Smith in at pitcher. Pitt third baseman Sky Duff hit a one-out RBI double to stretch the Panthers lead to 5-2.