TicketsMarch 5, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Cincinnati used a three home run outburst to clinch its third straight series win with a 9-7 victory over Niagara on Sunday afternoon at the UC Baseball Stadium. The win is the Bearcats' seventh in the last nine games and improves the squad's record to 7-6 on the year.
The Bearcats got solo home runs from Logan Parker and Nick Maragas and a three-run shot from Brian Szarmach to secure the win over the Purple Eagles. Steve Blevins gave UC the best outing of his short career to gain the win and improve to 2-2 on the year.
Jon DeLuca led a 13-hit Bearcat attack with three hits, while Szarmach and Maragas added two each. Jack Nelson wrapped up his torrid hitting week, going 2 for 4 to end the four-game stretch batting .600 (9 for 15).
On the mound, it was Blevins, Nelson and A.J. Upton combining to beat Niagara for the second time in three days. Blevins worked a career-high six innings, allowing the Purple Eagles two runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out four. Upton was hit for four runs and four hits in 2.1 innings, but still picked up his third save of 2006.
"I thought we pitched well today and Blevins gave us his best outing of the year," UC head coach Brian Cleary said. "We didn't swing the bats particularly well, but we got timely hits when we needed them. Of course, we are glad to win another series."
Andrew MacNevin was the star for Niagara (3-5) as he went 4 for 4 with four runs scored and two RBI. MacNevin's ninth inning home run was his second of the year.
Cincinnati struck first as Parker powered his third home run of the year to left in the first. Niagara got the run back in the top of the second on Matt Schaefer's second RBI double of the weekend, only to see Maragas hit a home run off the scoreboard in right field a half inning later. The score was tied once again in the top of the fourth courtesy of Paul Solini's RBI single.
The Bearcats would finally go ahead to stay in the last of the sixth with a three-run inning. Maragas got the ball rolling with a run scoring double, followed by an Adam Yeager RBI single. After a walk by LaFringe Hayes, Josh Harrison hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Maragas. With the speedy Yeager on second and the ball hit to deep center, Yeager got the green light to try to score from second, but following a huge collision at the plate, the freshman was called out after Mike Medici somehow managed to hold onto the ball. Niagara got one of the runs back when Mike Alati walked with the bases loaded in the seventh against Nelson. With the bases still packed, Upton was summoned from the bullpen and he struck Medici out looking to end the threat.
UC would extend its lead its lead to 8-3 when Szarmach hit his towering blast to left center. Niagara wouldn't stay down though, as it took advantage of a Maragas throwing error for one run and getting an RBI single by Brian Clifford to cut it back to a three-run margin. Cincinnati went up 9-5 when DeLuca singled through the right side with the bases loaded in the eighth.
The final frame caused more excitement for Upton and the Bearcats as Niagara trimmed the UC advantage to the final 9-7 margin. The inning started with Upton somehow gloving a screamer up the middle off the bat of Andrew Macdonald for the first out. One out and a hit batsman later, MacNevin took Upton deep for a two-run shot to right. Upton showed his athleticism one more time retiring Jeff Vincet on a high chopper up the middle to end the game.
Mark Wilson took the pitching defeat for Niagara, falling to 1-2 on the year. Wilson allowed five runs on nine hits, with a walk and four strikeouts before leaving after 5.1 innings.
The Bearcats continue their 11-game homestand next weekend when Cleveland State pays a visit to the UC Baseball Stadium. Action is set for 4 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.