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The top five Pitt programs to watch in 2021
Kyle Saxon
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Senior Staff Writer
Pitt Athletics’ storied history o en plays a factor in a student’s decision to join the Panther family. New students usually have a vision of taking in a football game at Heinz Field or being a part of the Oakland Zoo before they even set foot on campus.
But while Pitt may be best known for its history of football and basketball success, some of its most exciting programs receive much less publicity than they deserve. Over the past year, several Panther teams reached unprecedented heights and are poised to nd even more success in the coming season.
Here are the Top 5 Pitt programs to watch in 2021-22.
5. Baseball
In a 2021 season in which it was projected to nish last in the ACC, Pitt baseball made tremendous strides as a program. Despite an abrupt end to their season a er barely missing an NCAA Tournament berth, the Panthers enter the 2022 season with a strong returning core and the most excitement surrounding the team in years.
Pitt played just 16 games in 2020 before the pandemic cut the season short. With a 2020 roster that featured 21 new playersand a low level of collective experience, the program’s expectations for 2021 were almost entirely unknown. e last place preseason projection exempli ed the struggles Pitt baseball had su ered through since joining the ACC –– but their eventual 23-20 nish to the 2021 campaign showed the dramatic progress that head coach Mike Bellhas made in just three full seasons.
Following a 22-12 start, the Panthers seemed poised to host a regional round of the NCAA Tournament but a head-scratching 1-8 nish to the year le Pitt disappointed on selection day.
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Ahead of a 2021-22 school year where many of Pitt’s teams have lofty hopes, next year. Lucas Zheng staff photographer
