TicketsFeb. 25, 2006
HIGH POINT, N.C.---Cincinnati left 15 runners on base and Randy Schwartz's single drove home the only run of the game, sending High Point to a 1-0 win over the Bearcats in college baseball action on Saturday afternoon.
UC, which left at least one runner on base in all but two innings and left the bases loaded three times, falls to 3-5 on the young season. The Panthers are 6-7 with the victory.
Cincinnati had one final chance in the ninth inning, but again left the bags packed. LaFringe Hayes was called out on a bang-bang play at first to start the inning, just prior to Josh Harrison's single. Logan Parker then drew a walk, but Jon DeLuca fouled out for the second out. Needing to reach base to keep the inning alive, Mark Muscenti drew his third walk of the afternoon. The Bearcats then rested their hopes on Nick Maragas, but the junior catcher bounced into a game-ending fielder's choice.
The star of the day for High Point was relief pitcher Bubba O'Donnell. The sophomore limited the Bearcats to two hits and four walks in 4.2 shutout innings of relief to earn his first win of the year.
Kyle Rapp (1-2) was the hard luck losing pitcher for the Bearcats. The junior allowed just one run on four hits in 5.2 innings, while walking four and striking out one. Muscenti went 2 for 2 at the plate, while also drawing three walks. UC was limited to just five hits by two High Point pitchers.
High Point also had many chances to take the lead, but couldn't push across the winning run until the sixth inning. Jeff Cowan led the frame off with a walk and went to second when Rapp was called for a balk. Chris Norwood grounded out to first to move Cowan over and one out later, Schwartz grounded the game-winning hit through the left side to plate Cowan.
The Bearcat defense was strong behind all three of the UC hurlers, turning a season-high four double plays and not committing an error for the third straight game.
The rubber match-up between the Bearcats and Panthers will begin with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday. UC will send reigning BIG EAST Co-Pitcher of the Week Glen Simon to the hill against High Point's Matt Christie.