Setting the stage the day before confronting the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, Pitt hit five home runs Wednesday to defeat No. 8 seed Notre Dame, 9-5, in its first game of pool play in the ACC Baseball Championships in Durham, N.C.

The victory improved Pitt’s all-time ACC Tournament record to 6-3, including three victories in its past four games. Next up for Pitt is top-seeded Wake Forest (45-9) at 11 a.m. Thursday. The pitching matchup features Pitt right-hander Logan Evans (5-2, 5.09 ERA) against ACC Pitcher of the Year Rhett Lowder (12-0, 1.73).

Sky Duff started the barrage for the 12th-seeded Panthers (24-30), leading off the game with a homer before Justin Acal, Noah Martinez, Kyle Hess and Dom Popa joined him. The five home runs represented a season-high for Pitt.

Eight of the nine Panthers in the starting lineup hit safely. Duff and Jayden Melendez were a combined 6 of 9.

Two relief pitchers preserved the victory, with Dylan Simmons working 3⅓ innings and allowing only one run. Nash Bryan recorded his eighth save to hand Notre Dame (30-23) its third loss in a row.

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