Bearcats Entertain USF In BIG EAST Home Opener

March 31, 2006

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

SETTING THE SCENE: Cincinnati will be out to snap a four-game losing streak when it hosts South Florida in its first-ever BIG EAST home series this weekend. The Bearcats had won seven straight before losing all three games of its inaugural BIG EAST set at Connecticut last weekend. As was the case last week, UC, one of the conference's top hitting teams, will face one of the league's best pitching staffs in the Bulls. Action gets underway from the UC Baseball Stadium on Friday (March 31) under the lights at 6:30 p.m. The series continues at 4 p.m. on Saturday and wraps up with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday. The Bearcats are 13-10 overall and 0-3 in the BIG EAST, while USF, another newcomer to the league this year, is 14-12 overall, with a 5-1 conference slate.

NOTES FROM THE MIAMI GAME:

• The one-run defeat was Cincinnati's sixth in 10 losses this year. It also marks the first time UC has suffered three straight losses by just a single run since losing to Furman (7-6) on Feb. 8, Duke (9-8) on Feb. 17 and Wake Forest (4-3) on Feb. 22, 2002.
• The extra-inning game was Cincinnati's first since a 3-2, 10-inning win at East Carolina on April 30, 2004.
• UC's 16 strikeouts were the most by the Bearcats since whiffing 18 times against Houston on April 24, 2004.

NOTING THE BEARCATS:

• The loss to Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday was UC's sixth straight to the RedHawks, matching the program's fourth longest active losing streak to an opponent. The string trails Tennessee (11 straight) and Notre Dame and USF (8 each) and matches the streaks against Florida State, Louisville and Ohio State.
• Jack Nelson has taken over the top spot on the team in hitting, coming in at .375. The senior has hit safely in three straight games.

NOTING THE BULLS:

• USF, picked to finish third in the BIG EAST prior to the season, is 14-12 overall, but holds a 5-1 mark in league play. The Bulls opened their first season in the league by taking two of three from Connecticut, before sweeping Seton Hall last weekend.
• Senior Kris Howell is USF's top hitter with a .364 batting average, while sophomore Joey Angelberger paces the team with 21 RBI.
• RHP Casey Hudspeth was a member of the BIG EAST's preseason all conference team and he holds a 3-2 record and a 3.22 ERA. Daniel Thomas is tops on the squad with a 2.72 ERA.
• The Bulls, ranked fifth in the BIG EAST in ERA, have struggled offensively, ranking last in the league in both stolen bases and home runs.

A BAD WEEKEND...: After scoring 49 runs in a three-game sweep of Oakland on March 18-19, UC ran into the BIG EAST's top pitching staff last weekend at Connecticut and found the offense much harder to come by. A comparison of the two series is shown to the right.

...BUT STILL A SCORING MACHINE: The Bearcats have become one of the BIG EAST's most dangerous offensive teams this season, averaging 7.6 runs per game and hitting .292 as a team. These numbers come despite being shutout three times and being held to a single run once. A sampling of some other UC scoring notes:

• In 23 games this season, the Bearcats have reached double-figure scoring seven times, after doing so just seven times in 55 games last year.
• In UC's Feb. 19 game at North Carolina A&T and again on March 19 vs. Oakland, the Bearcats scored 10 runs in the sixth inning of the respective game.
• UC has scored over 20 runs twice this season, a feat that hasn't been accomplished by a UC team twice in a year since 2001.
• The Bearcats' 23 runs on March 19 vs. Oakland were the most by a UC team since the school record of 26 against UAB on April 24, 1993.
• UC, ranked third in the BIG EAST in runs scored (174), boasts three of the top-10 individual run scorers in the league, with Josh Harrison, LaFringe Hayes and Mark Muscenti all among the league leaders.

FINDING HIS STROKE: As a sophomore, Jack Nelson was one of the most dangerous hitters in Conference USA with a .360 batting average. After struggling as a junior, Nelson is back on track during his senior year. Nelson has been red hot as of late, hitting safely in 13 of his last 15 games, including a career-long nine-game hit streak. The surge has raised Nelson's average to .375, good for first on the team and ninth in the BIG EAST. Nelson has also gotten back his knack for extra-base hits as he has seven doubles and two home runs this year, with both of the longballs coming against Cleveland State on March 10. The multi-homer game was the second of Nelson's career and first since May 1, 2004 vs. Saint Louis.

TIGHT GAME BLUES: Close games have been the Bearcats' achilles heel this season as six of UC's 10 losses have come by a single run. At no point was it more evident than March 24-26 at Connecticut, when UC opened BIG EAST play with a pair of one-run losses. The Bearcats followed that up with a 4-3, 11-inning defeat at Miami (Ohio) on March 29. UC has been hurt by a pair of 1-0 losses this season, something that hasn't happened since accurate records were kept beginning in 1958.

THE ANCHOR: Logan Parker has been the anchor of the Bearcats' line-up in 2006, beating opponents with both his bat and his patience. This year, Parker is fifth on the team in hitting at .310, while adding five doubles, three triples, six homers and a team-leading 30 RBI. He has also shown great patience at the plate, drawing a BIG EAST-leading 24 walks. Parker is making waves in the new league, where he ranks among the conference leaders in RBI (1st, 30), total bases (4th, 55), triples (T-1st, 3), and slugging percentage (3rd, .655). Additionally, Parker, who stole just three bases all of last year, has already swiped five in 2006.

FILLING A HOLE: Freshman Josh Harrison has excelled since taking over the number two position in the batting order from the graduated Mark Haske. This season, Harrison ranks second on the team and is 11th in the BIG EAST with a .366 batting average. The Cincinnati native has helped the Bearcats in a number of ways, stealing four bases, notching two home runs, including his first career grand slam, scoring 24 runs and driving in 19. Harrison's 10 multi-hit games help him rank among the BIG EAST leaders with 34 total hits. He had one of his best performances on March 19 vs. Oakland, going 3 for 4 and driving in a career-high six runs. He also has a pair of four-hit performances to his credit. In the field, Harrison has drawn starts at shortstop, second base and in the outfield.

UNDER THE RADAR: Throughout his career, senior 2B Mark Muscenti has flown under the radar, but if he continues the play he has this season, that won't be the case for long. This year, Muscenti is hitting .329, well above his career average of .277 entering the season. He also has recorded 11 RBI, but has failed to drive in a run since March 11 vs. Cleveland State. Always a steady fielder, Muscenti has a career fielding percentage of .969 in 180 games and has started 93 consecutive games, with all but one coming at second base. Muscenti has also made waves on UC's career lists, moving into the top-20 in on-base percentage (14th, .422), walks (15th, 87), games played (15th, 180), at-bats (16th, 617) and hits (19th, 175). Muscenti is also the school record holder with 64 career hit by pitch.

BUCKEYE STRENGTH: The Bearcats are out to continue there recent success against in-state rivals in 2006, with 10 games against Ohio schools scheduled. UC is 3-1 against in-state teams this year, after a March 29 defeat at Miami. UC's next Ohio battle is April 5 at Ohio. Last year, UC posted an 8-4 mark against in-state foes and has won 15 of its last 21 games against Ohio adversaries, including four straight against Xavier. All but one of the defeats during the stretch have come against Miami.

STEADY ARMS: Junior lefty Jack Nelson and sophomore right-hander A.J. Upton have formed a solid 1-2 punch out of the Bearcat bullpen in 2006, helping UC overcome the loss of graduated relievers Josh Kay and Kyle Markle. After tossing a combined 10.1 innings last year, Nelson and Upton have been UC's most reliable relievers thus far. Upton has been one of the biggest surprises of 2006 as he has evolved into the Bearcats' closer. After preserving the Bearcats win on March 5 vs. Niagara, Upton is tied for third in the BIG EAST with three saves. He holds a 2.82 ERA and is limiting batters to a .187 batting average. Nelson has also been strong, holding a 1-1 record and a 4.91 ERA in 11 appearances.

BEARCATS EARN REGIONAL RANKING: Despite losing three games at Connecticut, the Bearcats have held their 10th place ranking in the latest Northeast Baseball Review weekly top-10. UC became eligible for the list as a member of the BIG EAST Conference. Cincinnati is one of four BIG EAST schools ranked, joining West Virginia (4th), Notre Dame (7th) and Pittsburgh (9th).

STARTERS ARE STRONG: A key factor in UC's success this season has been UC's starting pitching trio of juniors Kyle Rapp and Glen Simon and true freshman Steve Blevins. An up close look at each hurler's recent success:

• Rapp has allowed just two earned runs and 14 hits in his last 25.1 innings of work, but has dropped two straight decisions. He has been the victim of a lack of run support as the UC bats are averaging just three runs per game in his last four starts. Rapp holds an ERA of 2.04 this year, despite his 1-3 record.
• Simon has been outstanding, holding a 4-1 record and a 3.03 ERA in his last six starts. Simon twirled a three-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts at North Carolina A&T on Feb. 19 and worked eight one-run innings to score a win on March 3 vs. Niagara. Included in the stretch for Simon was a string of 14 consecutive scoreless innings.
• Blevins has shown the ability that made him UC's opening day starter over his last two starts as he has won two straight decisions. In his last four starts and one relief appearance, Blevins has allowed 15 runs in 27.2 innings, while striking out 21 and lowering his ERA from 15.58 to 7.18.
• The successes have gained the trio recognition in the BIG EAST weekly statistics, led by Rapp who sixth in both ERA (2.04) and opponents average (.205). Simon is tied for the top spot with four wins, while both he and Blevins are among the conference's best in strikeouts.

HIGH ON HAYES: LaFringe Hayes has been a catalyst at the top of UC's line-up much of this season, using his speed to contribute in many ways. In game one of UC's Feb. 19 doubleheader at North Carolina A&T, Hayes scored five runs, becoming the first UC player to reach the total since Craig Tewes on March 7, 2001 vs. Xavier. During that same weekend, Hayes once again tied the school record for most triples in a single game, a mark that Hayes has already achieved one other time in his career, as he ripped two. With 10 triples in just over one season at UC, Hayes is just two back of Billy Wolff's career record. Hayes shares the top spot in the BIG EAST with three triples and is tied for fifth with 24 runs scored. In addition, Hayes leads the Bearcats with six stolen bases. Hayes has found the going more difficult as of late, as a 1-for-22 slump has dropped his average to .264.

PARKER HONORED FOR PLAY: Logan Parker's big weekend against Oakland March 18-19 earned him recognition from both the BIG EAST and on the national scene. In addition to being named BIG EAST Player of the Week, Parker also earned a spot on the College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll. For the series, Parker hit .462 (6 for 13), with all but one of his hits going for extra-bases. The senior ripped three home runs in the series, including a pair of three-run shots in the series-opener, while also recording 11 RBI, including seven in one game. Parker slugged an incredible 1.385 in the wins, while scoring six runs, walking four times and stealing two bases.

DELUCA'S BIG WEEKEND: Jon DeLuca enjoyed a stellar weekend against Oakland (March 18-19), hitting an astounding .800 (8 for 10) in the three-game series. He opened the weekend with a five-hit game, the first of his career. DeLuca also doubled twice, hit the first triple of his career and drove in four runs, while scoring seven during the set.

MR. VERSATILITY: Freshman Josh Harrison produced one of the top storylines of UC's series with Cleveland State, March 10-12. After Nick Maragas, the Bearcats' only healthy catcher went down with an injury, Harrison was forced to don the catcher's gear for the first time in a game in his life. Harrison held his own behind the plate, handling 21 chances without an error or passed ball. The versatile freshman received high marks for his play from UC head coach Brian Cleary and the Bearcat pitching staff.

SIMON SAYS SIT DOWN: In just his second outing in a Cincinnati uniform, junior RHP Glen Simon turned in one of the most dominating performances in recent memory. On Feb. 19 at North Carolina A&T, the Florida State transfer tossed a three-hit shutout over seven innings, while striking out a career-high 13 Aggie hitters. Simon's shutout also was an achievement as it was the first crafted by a UC starter since Chad Pennington shut out Saint Louis on May 18, 2002. The 13 strikeouts by Simon were the most by a Bearcat pitcher since Sean Munninghoff registered 12 against Memphis on May 14, 2005. For his efforts, Simon was named BIG EAST Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week.

ALL THE WAY: During the 2005 season, Cincinnati's pitchers turned in only one complete game, but the 2006 staff doubled that total in just one day with its Feb. 19 doubleheader performance at North Carolina A&T. In the twinbill, juniors Kyle Rapp and Glen Simon each pitched all seven innings, leading the Bearcats to a sweep. In the first complete game of either pitcher's career, each struck out a career-high with Rapp fanning seven and Simon 13. The back-to-back complete games were the first for Bearcat hurlers since B.J. Borsa and Nate Bouldin each went all the way on April 5-6, 2003 vs. Southern Miss.

ENDING A SLUMP: Junior OF Brian Szarmach found a big way to end a 0-for-13 slump with his performance at High Point on Feb. 26. With UC trailing 4-3 in the sixth inning, the junior launched his second career grand slam to put the Bearcats ahead to stay. He would add two RBI later in the game to give him a career-high six. The grand slam was the first by a UC player since Mark Haske's on May 14, 2005 vs. Memphis and was also Szarmach's second career grand slam.

BEARCATS 10TH IN BIG EAST POLL: In its first season as a member of the BIG EAST Conference, the Bearcats have been tabbed to finish 10th in a poll of the league's 12 coaches. Notre Dame, the defending champions of the conference tournament, were the overwhelming favorites to win the 2006 title. The Fighting Irish picked up a total of nine first place votes, finishing with a total of 117 points. Pittsburgh picked up two first place nods, taking second in the rankings with 103 tallies. Villanova, chosen in a tie for seventh, earned the last first place marker.

UNFAMILIAR FOES: The 2006 season marks the dawning of many new rivals for the Bearcats, as the squad will face 11 first time opponents. In addition to six members of the BIG EAST, five of Cincinnati's first seven non-conference opponents are new. In conference play, UC will face Connecticut, Georgetown, Rutgers, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova for the first time. West Virginia, along with Conference USA defectees Louisville and USF, are the only BIG EAST teams on the Bearcats' 2006 docket to battle UC prior to this year. On the non-conference side of the slate, UC will battle Florida, High Point, Niagara, North Carolina A&T and Oakland for the first time in 2006.

START OF SOMETHING NEW: The Bearcats move to the BIG EAST this season marks the opening to UC's sixth conference affiliation since 1949. The move is also noteworthy for UC senior OF LaFringe Hayes. A transfer from the University of Oklahoma (a member of the Big 12) prior to last season, Hayes will be playing in his third Division I Conference in three years.
Conference Inaugural Game Result
Mid-American April 19, 1948 at Miami (OH) Miami (OH) 14, UC 6
Missouri Valley April 26, 1957 at UC UC 9, Bradley 8
Metro May 14, 1976 at Memphis Tulane 4, UC 1
Great Midwest April 4, 1992 at Saint Louis UC 4, Saint Louis 3
Conference USA March 29, 1996 at UAB UAB 4, UC 2
BIG EAST March 24, 2006 at Connecticut UConn 13, UC 1

MUSCENTI WINNER OF STEPHENS AWARD: Senior 2B Mark Muscenti received one of the UC Athletic Department's highest honors at halftime of the Feb. 6 men's basketball game when he was announced as the 2006 winner of the Jean Stephens Memorial Award. Named in honor of the former Athletic Department employee, the Stephens Award honors one senior student-athlete each year that exemplifies excellence on and off the field. Muscenti was nominated for the award by UC head coach Brian Cleary.