Seneca Valley graduate Zach Duggan scores on a wild pitch against North Allegheny during his senior season with the Raiders. Duggan originally went to Slippery Rock University to play football. Instead, he has had a positive impact on the University of Pittsburgh's baseball team.

PITTSBURGH — When one door closed for Zach Duggan another one opened.

The 2006 Seneca Valley High graduate was committed to playing football at Slippery Rock University but those plans were soon derailed.

"A back injury kept me from playing football," Duggan said. "But after that, I was playing in a summer baseball league and (University of Pittsburgh baseball coach Joe Jordano) saw a few of my games and he offered me a roster spot at Pitt.

Duggan, a history major and native of Cranberry Township, starred in both football and baseball at SV and still holds the Raiders' career receptions mark.

"It was always football with me," he said. "But when that door closed, it was nice to have the opportunity to play baseball."

Duggan, a right fielder for the Panthers, was redshirted in his first year with the team last spring.

Entering today's game against Akron, Duggan is batting .243 (17-for-70) with 15 runs scored and 10 RBI. Those totals include a three-hit game in a win over Georgetown in late April. Duggan also has stolen five bases.

"The redshirt year gave me a head start on this season," he said. "I did everything with the team last year — traveling with the team, took outfield practice before games and batting practice, everything except actually playing in the games.

"Coming into this year, I just wanted to fill whatever role the team had for me. Last season let me know what to expect."

One of the things Duggan expected was the opportunity to face elite pitching, and that's exactly what he got.

"At this level, every pitcher is good," he said. "In high school, a team might have a very good ace, but once you got past him and to the relievers, they weren't very good.

"These pitchers don't just throw fastballs and curveballs, they throw sliders, changeups, everything."

Duggan, a right-handed hitter, has seen all 19 of his starts come against left-handed pitchers.

"I hit with a bit of power in high school," he said. "Now, I'm asked to play more small ball and I'm one of the best bunters on the team, sacrifice bunting and for base hits. It's one of my roles on the team."

As for his performance in the field, Duggan has committed just one error compared to 42 putouts and three outfield assists for a fielding percentage of .978.

The Panthers are 18-30 overall and 8-16 in Big East Conference play.

But once the Panthers' season ends, Duggan isn't planning to put down his bat and glove.

"I'll be going down to South Carolina to play in the Summer Collegiate Baseball League."