MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — When West Virginia reliever Conner Dotson developed wildness, Pitt broke open a scoreless game to take Round 1 of baseball’s Backyard Brawl.
Alex Kowalczyk had the key hit in a four-run seventh and the Panthers held on for a 4-1 win when WVU left the bases jammed in the ninth Tuesday night.
Before 1,763 at Monongalia County Ballpark, the Mountaineers (17-14) slipped to 7-7 at home this season.
Pitt (15-13) is scheduled to host the rematch May 17.
West Virginia freshman Michael Grove tossed five shutout innings, pitching around five hits and four walks.