TicketsRomero Homer Lifts Bearcats To 6-4 Win
Contact: Shawn Sell
3/15/2003
Josh Romero's three-run homer, his second of the season, lifted the Bearcats to a 6-4 win over UAB. |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.---Josh Romero hit a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning and B.J. Borsa tossed his second straight complete game as the Cincinnati Bearcats topped UAB 6-4, Saturday for their first Conference USA win of the season. The Bearcats improve to 6-10 overall, with a 1-1 league ledger, while the Blazers fall to 16-3 and 1-1.
Romero?s long ball highlighted a four-run sixth inning for the Bearcats who trailed 4-2 entering the frame. The homer was Romero?s second of the season, after he also plowed a solo shot last weekend at Morehead State.
On the mound, Borsa was outstanding. He needed just 111 pitches to craft the 10th complete game of his career and even his record at 2-2 on the year. Borsa allowed six hits, while striking out five, but retired the final 11 batters in a row to close out the win.
The go-ahead inning for the Bearcats began with a Brad Dorrmann single. Jon DeLuca followed with a run-scoring double that drew Cincinnati to within 4-3. One out later, Jack Nelson reached second on a two-base error by UAB left fielder Mitch Jones that put runners on second and third with one out. Ryan Huffman replaced UAB starter Cody Cillo on the hill and promptly struck out pinch-hitter Aaron Brown. That set the stage for Romero and his monster blast.
?I think the two keys to today?s game were Romero?s home run and Borsa?s pitching effort,? said Bearcat head coach Brian Cleary. ?Anytime you get a complete game from your pitcher, its evident that he pitched well. I thought B.J. competed exceptionally well after getting himself out of trouble in the fifth inning. Romero also gave us a lift with a clutch hit for the second time. I feel like for the second day in a row, we leave feeling like we improved offensively. Tomorrow will be a big day for us again.?
Cincinnati got on the scoreboard first, plating a single run in each of the first and third innings. Both runs came courtesy of Brad Schutz RBI singles that scored Mark Muscenti.
The Blazers got within one in the fourth on a Daniel Hill sacrifice fly and went ahead with a three-run fifth inning. Borsa hit Matt Wamble to start the inning, before inducing a fielder?s choice. With two outs, Josh Miljavac got the first of three straight hits off of Borsa, lining a single up the middle. That brought Jones to the rack and he ripped a two-run double up the left centerfield ally. Steve Martin was next up and he hit a run-scoring single to right. But that would prove to be the end of the offense for UAB. Borsa got Sam Clark to fly out to center to end the inning and Kyle Leon started the next inning with UAB?s final hit of the day. Borsa got Hill to hit into a doubleplay and got a Wamble lineout to end the sixth.
From there Borsa cruised, throwing just 14 pitches over the last three innings to seal the victory for Cincinnati.
The Bearcats and Blazers will wrap up their three-game set tomorrow with a 1 p.m. CST start at Young Memorial Field. Kyle Markle will get the nod for the Bearcats against UAB?s Scott Gibson.
Game Notes
? Jack Nelson?s single in the fourth inning extended his hitting streak to a career-best five games.
? B.J. Borsa had a day of milestones as he moved up on several UC career charts. By appearing in today?s contest, Borsa is now tied for 10th on the career appearances chart with Bill Metzinger with 59. Borsa?s 17th career win moves into sole possession of fourth place and his 10th complete game moves him into a tie for 11th. Borsa also set the school record for most hit batsman with 35.
? Borsa also became just the eighth pitcher in Conference USA history to top the 300 career innings pitched.