TicketsMarch 21, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio---A six-run outburst by Toledo in the fifth inning spelled doom for Cincinnati as the Rockets scored a 7-5 win over the Bearcats on Wednesday at Marge Schott Stadium. The defeat, UC's second straight, drops the team's record to 11-9 heading into the BIG EAST opener at Pittsburgh this weekend.
The Bearcats tried to go long to beat the Rockets as UC hit a season-high three home runs, including consecutive blasts in the first. Neall French highlighted the Bearcat offense for the day, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and his fourth long ball of the year. Michael Earley and Josh Harrison also homered for the Bearcats.
The day got off to a rough start for the Bearcats as Toledo lead-off hitter Drew Hoisington banged a triple off the wall in right center field and scored when Jamel Scott's relay throw to third sailed into the UC dugout.
Cincinnati wouldn't trail long, though as with two outs, Earley and French both went long against Ryan France. Earley was a towering blast to left, while French hammered an offering over the high wall in dead centerfield.
It looked like UC might turn the game into a runaway when Harrison led the third inning off with home run number five of the year for him. That wouldn't be the case, however as 11 Rockets batted in the decisive fifth inning. Toledo loaded the bases with the first three batters, and then trimmed the lead to 3-2 when Tim Krofcheck was hit with the bases loaded. That set the table for Hoisington and he delivered, clearing the bases with a triple to deep centerfield. Brian Garman relieved starter Nick Buscemi and was greeted rudely courtesy of a Jake Swint RBI-single to right. After Garman got two outs, Josh Colliver delivered the final run of the inning when he pulled a double inside the right field line.
Cincinnati got within 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth when French drove a single through the right side that plated Harrison. UC got a run closer in the seventh when Tony Campana scored on a Harrison sacrifice fly. The Bearcats had chances to inch closer in each of the final two innings before leaving runners on second in both frames.
Harrison contributed a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Buscemi (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs in four-plus innings of work.
Hoisington led the Toledo (6-6) offense with the two triples and three RBI. Josh Johnson and Jake Oester added two hits apiece for the Rockets. Mike Ellis got the win with 2.2 innings of relief, while Joe Roberts got the last three outs for his third save of the year.
Cincinnati opens BIG EAST play this weekend, traveling to Pittsburgh for the first meeting with the Panthers since 2000. Action gets underway on Friday with first pitch set for 6 p.m.