TicketsMarch 12, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Cincinnati wrapped up its first series sweep of the year, topping Cleveland State by a 5-1 score on Sunday afternoon at the UC Baseball Stadium. The Bearcats' victory was aided by six strong innings from starting pitcher Nick Buscemi, making his first start of 2006.
Buscemi earned his first win of the season, limiting the Vikings to one run and four hits, while striking out three in six innings of work. His outing helped Cincinnati capture its 10th win in the last 12 games and improves the squad's record to 10-6 on the year.
Jon DeLuca and Cory Hodskins led the Bearcats at the plate, combining to drive in three of the five runs. DeLuca went 2 for 4 with his first home run of the year, while Hodskins delivered a two-run double for UC.
"For us to get a sweep heading into exams is obviously a good thing," said UC head coach Brian Cleary. "I thought our guys did a good job of playing hard all weekend, despite the weather related issues. I am glad that we were able to finish off the sweep to head into the week."
Cleveland State falls to 1-6 on the year, with the pitching defeat going to starter Josh Hungerman. CSU's freshman hurler went five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits in slipping to 0-2 on the year. Steve Chinn drove in the Vikings' only run of the day with a fourth inning RBI double.
Cincinnati broke out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, taking advantage of a fielding miscue by Hungerman. LaFringe Hayes was the beneficiary, reaching on the error, moving to second on Josh Harrison's sacrifice bunt and coming home on Logan Parker's RBI single. The Vikings tied the game on Chinn's double in the fourth.
The Bearcats broke ahead for good just one-half inning later, getting a pair of runs. Mark Muscenti doubled to start the inning and went to third on DeLuca's single. One out and a passed ball later, Hodskins drove both runners home with a double to left center.
UC would tack on single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, getting the sixth inning run when DeLuca led the frame off with his first homer of the year. An inning later, Jack Nelson went the other way for an RBI single to left which plated Hayes for the final score of the day.
Buscemi was sharp of the mound, retiring the first nine batters he faced before running into some trouble in the fourth. John Westra singled to start the inning and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Chinn then doubled to right to plate Westra, but the CSU second baseman was gunned down at third, trying to advance on the throw. From there, Buscemi allowed a pair of singles, before leaving after hitting Chinn to start the seventh inning.
In addition to DeLuca's two hits, Harrison and Nelson also had two hits apiece for UC, which collected 11 hits for the third straight game. Nelson and A.J. Upton worked the final three innings in scoreless fashion to preserve the Cincinnati win.
UC will now take a break for finals week, not returning the diamond until next Saturday, March 18. The Bearcats will open a three-game series with Oakland that day in a doubleheader that will start at 1 p.m.