TicketsFour Run Ninth Buries Bearcats
Contact: Shawn Sell
4/11/2003
Justin Niefer went 4 for 4 Friday against Louisville. |
AMELIA, Ohio---The Cincinnati Bearcats looked well on their way to winning the opening game of a series for the first time this year, but Louisville had other plans as the Cardinals scored four runs in the ninth inning to steal a 7-5 Conference USA clash at Midland Field on Friday.
The defeat drops the Bearcats to 9-22 overall and 3-10 in C-USA, while Louisville improves to 20-11, 7-6.
Three walks in the ninth inning hurt the Bearcats, as did Boomer Whitings two-run single that broke a five-all tie. Kyle Markle (0-8) retired the first hitter of the inning, before walking J.T. LaFountain and giving up a bunt single to Josh Bolen. Mark Jurich got Lousville within one with a run-scoring double that brought Nate Bouldin to the mound for Cincinnati. Bouldin intentionally passed pinch-hitter Greg Taylor to load the bases and set up a doubleplay. But Luis Pardo had other ideas as he forced a bases loaded walk that set the stage for Whiting?s game-winning hit.
After Louisville got a run in its half of the first, the Bearcats went right to work offensively, pounding out five hits in their half of the frame, scoring three runs. With the bases loaded and no one out, Steve Pickerell lifted a high foul pop down the first base line, but aggressive base running by Justin Niefer allowed him to score the Bearcats? first run of the afternoon. Brad Schutz followed with an RBI single and one out later, Aaron Moll did the same to make it 3-1 Bearcats after an inning of play.
The Cardinals cut the lead to one on a Jurich sacrifice fly in the third, but the Bearcats responded with a Jon DeLuca run-scoring hit in the fourth. Bolen homered in the fifth to again cut it to one and Cincinnati once again responded in the seventh, plating a run on an error by UofL third baseman Ryan McKinnon.
Carlos Fernandez picked up the win for Louisville, pitching two innings and surrendering just one hit to improve to 2-0. St. Jean turned in a positive outing in his second start for Cincinnati, allowing three runs and six hits, while striking out four in six innings of work.
Niefer was the offensive star of the day for the Bearcats, going 4 for 4 with a pair of runs scored. DeLuca and Moll each added three hits.
The same two teams get back after it tomorrow morning beginning at 11 a.m. at Midland Field. B.J. Borsa gets the start for Cincinnati, against the Cardinals? Zach Jackson.