TicketsApril 5, 2006
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SETTING THE SCENE: Carrying the momentum of a key three-game BIG EAST sweep of South Florida last weekend, Cincinnati is back in action on Wednesday, April 5, travelling to Ohio University for a 6 p.m. intrastate match-up. UC brings a 16-10 record into the contest, while Ohio is 8-12 after losing to Marshall, 8-6 on Tuesday night. The Bearcats will use the mid-week affair as a tune-up for a BIG EAST trip to Seton Hall this weekend.
NOTES FROM THE USF SERIES:
NOTING THE BEARCATS:
NOTING THE BOBCATS:
DELUCA PICKING UP THE PACE: No UC hitter has been hotter at the plate lately than senior 3B Jon DeLuca. Over his last 11 games, DeLuca is hitting .500 (21 for 42) with nine runs and 13 RBI. The hot streak has raised his average from .255 on March 11 to .366. DeLuca hit .800 in the Bearcats' sweep of Oakland on March 18-19 and was instrumental in UC's sweep of USF last weekend. Against the Bulls, DeLuca hit .583 (7 for 12) and tallied seven RBI to earn BIG EAST Player of the Week honors on April 3. He was also placed on the College Baseball Foundation Honor Roll, joining Logan Parker as UC players named to the list this season. The stretch has also seen DeLuca match the school record for doubles in a game with three vs. USF on March 31.
BIG COMEBACK: When Mark Muscenti's single through the middle scored Logan Parker in the ninth inning of UC's come-from-behind win over USF on April 2, the Bearcats not only finished off a sweep of the Bulls, but they also put an end to a lengthy dry spell. Trailing 10-8 heading into the ninth, Cincinnati put together five consecutive singles, capped by Muscenti's hit to rally for an 11-10 win. The ninth inning comeback snapped a streak of 98 consecutive games the Bearcats had lost when trailing after eight innings. Before the win over USF, the last victory of the kind came on May 16, 2002 vs. Saint Louis as Chris Hamblen's two-run, walk-off home run sent UC to an 8-7 victory.
MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF: While juniors Glen Simon and Kyle Rapp have stolen most of the pitching headlines, true freshman Steve Blevins is quietly having an outstanding season. In eight starts and one relief appearance, Blevins leads the Bearcats with 43.1 innings pitched, holding a record of 4-3 and a 6.85 ERA and striking out a team-high 36. Without two rough starts at the beginning of the year, Blevins would have a 4-1 record and a 4.67 ERA. He is also within striking distance of the UC record (7) for wins by a freshman pitcher.
HOME SWEET HOME: In its nearly two seasons of existence, the state-of-the-art UC Baseball Stadium has provided a solid home field advantage for the Bearcats. At no time has the edge been more significant than this year as the Bearcats are 11-1 at home. UC is hitting over 60 points higher at home than on the road and averages nearly three runs per game more. Of Cincinnati's 19 home runs this year, 12 have come at home. Since its opening, the Bearcats hold a 28-16 (.636) record at home.
A SCORING MACHINE: The Bearcats have become one of the BIG EAST's most dangerous offensive teams this season, averaging 7.7 runs per game and hitting .302 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:
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 14 of his last 17 games, including a career-long nine-game hit streak. The surge has raised Nelson's average to .359, good for third on the team. 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, but earned an 11-10 win over USF on April 2. 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 .337, while adding seven doubles, four triples, six homers and a team-leading 33 RBI. He has also shown great patience at the plate, drawing a BIG EAST-leading 26 walks. Parker is making waves in the new league, where he ranks among the conference leaders in RBI (1st, 33), total bases (4th, 66), triples (T-1st, 4), and slugging percentage (3rd, .673). 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 leads the team and is 10th in the BIG EAST with a .377 batting average. The Cincinnati native has helped the Bearcats in a number of ways, stealing six bases, notching two home runs, including his first career grand slam, scoring 30 runs and driving in 21. Harrison's 13 multi-hit games help him rank among the BIG EAST leaders with 40 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, catcher and in the outfield.
BEARCATS EARN REGIONAL RANKING: After sweeping USF, one of the BIG EAST's top teams, 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 (6th) and St. John's (8th).
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 .341, well above his career average of .277 entering the season. He also has recorded 16 RBI, putting him on pace to top his career-high of 28. Always a steady fielder, Muscenti has a career fielding percentage of .970 in 183 games and has started 96 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 (12th, .425), games played (T-13th, 183), walks (15th, 90), at-bats (16th, 629), hits (T-16th, 180) and runs (18th, 114). Muscenti is also the school record holder with 65 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 April 1 vs.USF, Upton is tied for second in the BIG EAST with four saves. He holds a 2.59 ERA and is limiting batters to a .185 batting average. Nelson has also been strong, holding a 2-1 record and a 4.15 ERA in a team-high 12 appearances.
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 11 triples in nearly two seasons at UC, Hayes is just one back of Billy Wolff's career record. Hayes shares the top spot in the BIG EAST with four triples and is tied for fourth with 30 runs scored. In addition, Hayes is tied for the top spot on the team with six stolen bases. After enduring a 1 for 22 slump that dropped his average to .264, Hayes went 6 for 15 (.400) in the USF series March 31-April 2, with five runs, a triple and his first home run of the year.
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.
START OF SOMETHING NEW: The Bearcats move to the BIG EAST this sLaFringe 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
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.