TicketsApril 5, 2006
ATHENS, Ohio---Ohio rallied for five runs in the last of the ninth, but the comeback wasn't enough as Cincinnati earned an 11-8 decision over the Bobcats on Wednesday night at Bob Wren Stadium. The victory improves the Bearcats' record to 17-10 heading into a weekend series at Seton Hall.
Trailing 11-3 entering the ninth, Ohio strung together five consecutive singles, then got an RBI double by Chris Klimko. A costly Cincinnati error led to another run, before A.J. Upton got the last three outs to preserve the win. Ohio s 8-13 with the defeat.
Utilizing a split staff pitching plan, Adam Calez tossed three shutout frames to earn the first win of his career in his first-ever start. Jon DeLuca paced the offense with two hits and three RBI. LaFringe Hayes and Josh Harrison scored three runs each for the Bearcats, with Hayes picking up a pair of hits. Adam Yeager went 2 for 4 at the plate in the UC victory.
The Bearcats jumped to a 5-0 lead through its first three at-bats, due in part to two costly Ohio errors. In the first inning, DeLuca lofted a soft flair that skipped off the glove of OU second baseman Bryant Witt, allowing Harrison to score from second. In the third inning, 10 UC batters came to the plate as part of a four-run inning, with all the outs coming after the second out was recorded. Hayes got the ball rolling when he laced a double down the right field line, but he was still standing on second when Harrison bounced out to third. After a walk to Logan Parker, DeLuca lined a single into right center to make it 2-0. Muscenti then drove a fly ball to right that eluded Matt Stiffler, allowing a pair of runs to score. Cincinnati scored its fifth run of the night two batters later when Adam Yeager singled through the left side to plate Muscenti.
The Bearcats struck for three more in the fourth, two coming courtesy of a DeLuca double into left center field. Cory Hodskins then tallied an RBI when he drew a walk with the bases loaded to plate Parker and make it 8-0.
Cincinnati made it three straight innings with at least one run in the fifth, when Hayes beat out a bunt single and ultimately scored on a Harrison sacrifice fly. Ohio countered the Bearcats' fifth inning with a run of its own as Willie Walker scored when Jason Selhorst bounced into a double play. The Bobcats got two more in the sixth, with the first coming when Hayden Johnston ripped a triple over Hayes' head into center. Johnston then trotted home when Jon Vandrell drove a single through the left side.
The score rose to 10-3 in the seventh when Harrison scored his third run of the game. With one out, Harrison singled and stole second. Parker then reached on a single to the second baseman and Dusty Hammond's throw went into the Bearcat dugout, allowing Harrison to score.
The Bearcats rounded out their scoring in the ninth when Brian Szarmach homered to center.
The Bearcats open a BIG EAST series at Seton Hall on Friday, with a 3 p.m. first pitch on tap.