5-30-18

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The Pitt News

The independent student newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | may 30, 2018 | Volume 109 | Issue 3

EVEN AMATEUR LOSSES HURT

PITT BASEBALL FALLS TO LOUISVILLE IN ACC SEMIFINAL Trent Leonard Staff Writer

Gary Jackson from Baldwin recovers in the makeshift locker rooms in the basement of the Priory Grand Hall after losing his amateur boxing match. Theodore Schwarz|STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS CELEBRATES MEMORIAL DAY Sam Weber Staff Writer

Butler-local Tom McKay, an ex-Marine, stood outside Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall on Monday to experience the museum’s annual celebration for the first time. He described the day as a “sweeping experience.” Red, white and blue T-shirts and flags were scattered across the front lawn of Soldiers and Sailors to commemorate the lives of fallen American soldiers with a community event that balanced both moments of celebration and solemn reflection. McKay said not only was this his first time attending the Memorial Day ceremonies, it was also the first time he had ever been to Soldiers and Sailors.

“Whenever we were bringing our daughter through Oakland, we’d see Soldiers and Sailors, but we’d never been in it before. I’m glad we went today to see it and got to see how many other veterans came out to remember our fallen brothers and sisters,” McKay said. McKay was struck by the support Pittsburghers had for veterans in their community and nationwide. “We’ve driven through here hundreds of times,” McKay said, “but I’ve never been able to see this kind of community celebration for us veterans before.” A local Americana band called Brassroots took to the center of the celebration to perform for the growing audience. The band transitioned between “America the

Beautiful,” the “Armed Forces Salute” and other patriotic songs, and the crowd sat silently while the band played. As the salute ended, a lone trumpet player concluded the music with a rendition of “Taps” in memory of the fallen soldiers. As he finished, the crowd erupted into cheer. The chance to experience the community’s gratitude is one of the biggest achievements for the museum. John McCabe has worked with the community to push events like the Memorial Day celebration into the public eye since he was appointed as president of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in 2008. McCabe also works as an attorney, and has 20 years of military experience. He See Memorial Day on page 7

While it was an exciting run, all good things must end — and that’s what happened for the Pitt baseball team Saturday afternoon when a 5-2 loss to the No. 5 Louisville Cardinals put an end to the No. 12 Panthers’ ACC Baseball Championship bid in the semifinal round in Durham, North Carolina. After beating No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 1 North Carolina in its last two tournament games, Pitt entered the ACC semifinal — its first in program history— as an underdog. And although the Panthers cut the deficit down to one late in the game, it was Louisville junior second baseman Devin Mann who ultimately proved to be the difference-maker. Mann hit three of the Cardinals’ five RBIs and two of their five runs. He went 2-3 on the day, with both his hits — a triple and a home run — coming at crucial moments for his team. Pitt fell behind in the bottom of the first inning when Mann hit a one-out triple to score sophomore shortstop teammate Tyler Fitzgerald from second base. Pitt sophomore pitcher Dan Hammer struck out the next two batters, leaving Mann stranded on third base going into the second inning. With the Cardinals holding a 1-0 lead, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw over innings two and three. Mann gave the Panthers trouble once again in the fourth inning, as he drew a walk, stole See Baseball on page 6


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