TicketsMarch 17, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Cincinnati ran to a 5-0 lead and never looked back as the Bearcats wrapped up their fourth consecutive series victory with an 8-3 win over Chicago State on Saturday at Marge Schott Stadium. The win, UC's fifth in a row, improves the Bearcats' record to 10-7 on the year.
Tony Campana was the sparkplug to the Bearcats' offense as he went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and four stolen bases. The four steals move the junior into a tie for second on UC's single season list with 28. Cameron Satterwhite and Brian Szarmach each added two hits in the win.
Sophomore lefty Dan Osterbrock turned in seven solid innings to gain the win and improve to 3-0 on the season. Osterbrock allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings, while walking two and striking out six.
UC chased Cougars' starter Mike Weida after just 1.1 innings by scoring three times in the first and twice more in the second. Campana used his speed to ignite the start as he beat out an infield single and stole second on the first pitch to Adam Yeager. A walk to Yeager and a bunt single by Josh Harrison loaded the bases, setting the stage for a Neall French sacrifice fly. Szarmach followed with an RBI single to right center and the Bearcats kept the scoring going with a Michael Earley sacrifice fly.
Things continued to go downhill for Weida in the second as he gave up a single to Satterwhite to start the inning and then plunked Ryan Baker. A double steal and one out later, Yeager came up big, driving a two-run double just inside the right field line to stake the Bearcats to a 5-0 lead.
Chicago State (0-17) cut into its deficit in the top of the third, scoring twice against Osterbrock. Luke Grow got the Cougar scoring started with an RBI single and two batters later, Bryan Packard scored on a ground ball out by Sean Murphy.
After Weida departed, Murphy stymied the Bearcats for the next four innings. The visitors got within 5-3 when Jonathan Wilson scored on a sixth inning error by Harrison.
Against an obviously tiring Murphy and two relievers, the Bearcats sent eight batters to the plate in the seventh, blowing the game open to its final 8-3 count with a trio of runs. After leading off with a single and stealing two bases, Campana scored the first run of the inning when French drew a bases loaded walk. Harrison would later score on a wild pitch and French crossed with the day's final run on a fielder's choice by Dustin Alvey.
Chicago State got two of its five hits from Simeon Morgan. Wieda took the loss after allowing five runs in just 1.1 innings.
UC will look for its second straight series sweep tomorrow with first pitch set for 1 p.m. Michael Hill will get the start on the mound for the Bearcats, while Chicago State's starter is not yet decided.