SHARON, Pa. -- Mike Bell has received a contract extension to continue as Pitt's baseball coach through 2027, the university announced on Wednesday.
"We are thrilled to extend Coach Bell's contract and have him continue to lead our baseball program," athletic director Heather Lyke said in a news release. "The trajectory of the baseball program is a tribute to he and his staff's expertise in recruiting, developing and preparing our team to compete in the ACC, as well as the quality of student-athletes he has recruited to Pitt."
Bell has turned in an 83-87 record in four seasons, but that includes three consecutive winning campaigns dating to the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Since the start of 2020, the Panthers have turned in a 62-53 record under Bell.
"Pitt is where my family and I want to be, and we couldn't be happier to be in Pittsburgh for years to come," Bell said. "Thanks to Chancellor (Patrick) Gallagher, Heather Lyke and her executive staff for their continued support, belief and confidence in our program's continued growth on the baseball diamond, and, more importantly, our quest to compete for championships."
The Panthers went 29-27 in 2022 and bowed out to NC State in an ACC tournament semifinal in May. The program's 29 victories tied for its most since joining the conference in 2014. Pitt achieved a national ranking at No. 14 by Baseball America, and they set a benchmark in series wins against ACC foes (six) and total victories within the ACC (16).
Over the summer, Pitt catcher Tatem Levins was drafted in the eighth round by Seattle, and pitchers Baron Stuart and Billy Corcoran inked free agent deals with the New York Yankees and Arizona, respectively. Former Panthers infielder Jeffrey Wehler and outfielder Ron Washington Jr. are currently showcasing for scouts by playing in the MLB Draft League with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Levins was the Panthers' highest draft pick since R.J. Freure and Matt Pidich were selected in the sixth and eighth rounds, respectively, in 2018.
