Point Park Athletics announced on Friday the Pioneers will host a game at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on April 9 versus California (Pa.) at 12 p.m.
“We started talking to the Pirates a number of months ago, trying to see if this would be a possibility,” vice president of athletics Scott Swain said. “The president of the Pirates, Travis Williams, is a great friend of the university and athletics.”
Point Park typically plays home games nearly four miles away from campus at Green Tree Park.
Point Park students will receive free admission to the game on Pirates turf, allowing students to experience Point Park baseball less than a mile from campus at PNC Park.
“It’s going to be a great experience for our student athletes [and] our university,” Swain said.
Point Park baseball won the 2025 Mountain East Conference Baseball Championship and earned the 2025 MEC North Division title in its first season of NCAA Division II play.
The Pioneers open the 2026 season 8-6 and 3-1 in conference play.
“Being able to play at one of the best, if not the best, ballparks in all [of] Major League Baseball is incredible,” Swain said.
Entering its second season of Division II competition, the university and its athletic department are looking to put Point Park on the map, according to university administrators.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for us, but also it completely helps with the visibility of our university as a whole and our athletic department,” Swain said.
In its MEC opener on Friday, Point Park swept West Virginia Wesleyan in a home doubleheader.
The Pioneers locked in the series sweep after senior pitcher Harold Boyce threw a no-hitter, striking out five batters in seven innings. The offense combined for 11 hits to secure a 12-0 win.
“[Last] week’s performance was much needed for me personally,” Boyce said. “Knowing our pitching staff, I knew we were going to have a great day.”
Boyce’s outing marked the program’s first no-hitter since 2018.
The conference named Boyce MEC Pitcher of the Week on Monday. He becomes the second Point Park pitcher in a row to receive this honor, following Ramon Rodriguez’s recognition last week.
“Our team synergy is only getting stronger, and I can’t wait to see where we end up this year,” Boyce said.
The team went on to split a doubleheader with Davis & Elkins on Sunday. Point Park closed the afternoon with a 12-3 victory, combining for four doubles and two home runs.
Tied for first in the MEC North division, the Pioneers look forward to their PNC Park debut next month.
“This is something [we] all have dreamt of,” Boyce said. “Playing on a professional field is something special.”
According to Swain, Point Park shares a good relationship with the Pittsburgh Pirates, from President Travis Williams to Point Park alum and manager Don Kelly.
“How many times [are] you going to be able to see your own classmates and fellow students play on the field at PNC Park?” Swain asked.
Leading up to the big game in North Shore, the Pioneers take on a four-game road trip on Saturday and Sunday to face MEC opponents Glenville State and Concord. Point Park plays a five-game home stretch to follow.
“I think this is a huge step towards the future of Point Park and a huge shoutout to the staff and faculty who have allowed us to play the game we love,” Boyce said.
