Pitt put together 12 hits and had the bases loaded in the ninth inning but couldn't get the key hit when it needed it, losing to Connecticut, 5-2, in an elimination game at the Big East Championship yesterday at KeySpan Park in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Panthers finish the season 27-27, while the Huskies (31-26) advance to the third round of the tournament.

"Today was a frustrating loss," Pitt coach Joe Jordano said. "The guys played hard, but being in an elimination game, you have to play clean baseball. We had the bases loaded in the ninth and couldn't string together any offense. This is a young team that has some searching to do."

The Huskies scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a squeeze play and throwing error by pitcher Rob Brant, who allowed five runs on eight hits in eight innings, to take a 5-0 lead.

The Panthers scored two runs in the sixth on an RBI single to left by Dan Williams and a sacrifice fly by Nick Mullins. Peter Parise extended his career hit mark to 252 with a single in the inning.

The Panthers loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with two outs, but Jordan Herr lined out to the third baseman. In the game, the Panthers left 11 on base.