Even though it is still winter time, college baseball has started. After the Pittsburgh Panthers lost two key players in the MLB draft last year, Luke Cantwell and Ryan Reed, many people thought the team would be worse this year, but that seems to be untrue.

The Panthers have started the season 5-2, after mercy ruling Bucknell at their home opener on Wednesday. That has not been the only mercy rule, though, as they beat Western Michigan 17-7.

AJ Nessler has been a key part to the hitting success. He is starting off the year hitting .480 with two home runs. He leads the team in almost every hitting category including hits, batting average, OPS (On-base Plus Slugging), and total bases. He is looking to have a breakout senior season and it could lead him to getting drafted in July.

Along with Nessler, there are four other players who are hitting above .300 and three others who have two home runs, as he does.

Pitching has also been a factor to Pitt’s success. In the offseason, Vincent Spizzoucco transferred to Pitt from Central Connecticut State. The southpaw has been lights out in his two outings, striking out nine in 10 innings and only giving up four hits and two earned runs.

Another big piece of the Pitt offseason was Mason Ligenza committing to the school. The Pennsylvania native was a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, but decided to go the collegiate route at Pitt. He has not played much, only getting two at bats so far, and striking out in one of them. But he is a name to look out for.

Later in the season, Pitt will play teams like Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Virginia, and Notre Dame. They might not be too hot against these teams, but this start of the season is a step in the right direction.