TicketsApril 25, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Cincinnati erased a 6-1 deficit with a six-run seventh inning on its way to an 8-6 win over Xavier on Tuesday night at chilly UC Baseball Stadium. The victory came in the 100th meeting the schools since 1958 and eases the pain of an 11-10 Xavier win last week.
LaFringe Hayes and Logan Parker provided the heroics at the plate for Cincinnati (25-15), combining for four RBI in the decisive inning. On the mound, it was Jake Geglein and A.J. Upton hurling a combined four shutout innings to seal the victory. Geglein was rewarded for two shutout frames with his first career win, while Upton notched his team-leading sixth save of the year.
Parker led the Cincinnati attack with two hits and three RBI, while Hayes had a pair of knocks and RBI. Mark Muscenti also tallied two hits in the victory.
Sean Brewer led Xavier with a 2 for 3 day, including three RBI, while Danny Hayden knocked in two. The Musketeers fall to 13-31 with the defeat.
"We've been fortunate in that we have relied on big innings to pull out some wins," UC head coach Brian Cleary said. "It's a little dangerous to live like that, but it's worked out lately. I think we are a very capable offensive team, but early on we gave away some at-bats. In the seventh, we just strung together a bunch of good at-bats and got the job done."
Cincinnati got off to a very sluggish start, hitting into four double plays in the first six innings, but staying close because of multiple Xavier errors. XU would be the first to dent the scoreboard as Brewer ripped a two-run double to deep left center against UC starter Adam Calez in the top of the third. A lead-off error started the Xavier inning that was also aided by a pair of Calez walks.
The Bearcats were able to take advantage of a Xavier miscue in the bottom of the frame as Parker drilled an RBI single up the middle to cut the Musketeer lead to 2-1.
The fifth inning started a stretch of four runs in two frames that drew Xavier in front by a 6-1 score. In the fifth, Brewer lifted a sacrifice fly to center against Matt Heber, before the UC reliever was able to get out of the inning. Heber wouldn't be so lucky in the sixth he failed to retire any of the first five hitters, spelling the end of his outing. Hayden had the big hit of the frame as he ripped a two-run single to right that chased Heber. Geglein was then summoned from the pen and following a sacrifice fly, he got Neil Lindgren to line out for the second out. After a double and an intentional walk to Brewer, Geglein struck out Chris Lozan to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, Josh Harrison raced home as Jack Nelson hit into a double play, cutting the score to 6-2. The seventh inning started with a bang as UC finally started to get to Xavier starter Steve Sakosits. Jon DeLuca drew a lead-off walk and went to third on a Brian Szarmach double. Adam Yeager then reached on an infield single that brought DeLuca home from third. Nick Maragas would follow by laying down a bunt that XU third baseman Robbie Kelley threw away, allowing one run to score and Maragas to go to second. Hayes would become the first hero of the night as he dropped a single down the left field against reliever Mark Janszen that tied the game. After a single by Harrison, Parker belted a shot into right center that went for a double, but saw the Texas native gunned down trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
From there, Upton allowed just an infield single in the final two innings to close out the Cincinnati victory.
Janszen took the loss out of the Xavier bullpen, falling to 0-3. Sakosits was strong early, but ended up allowing six runs on six hits in six-plus innings of work.
The Bearcats will now prepare for one of the most important weekends of the year, making the trip to Louisville for a BIG EAST series. Both teams enter the series tied for fourth in the conference standings.