TicketsMay 16, 2007
OXFORD, Ohio---The same winning formula that propelled Cincinnati to a win over Miami (Ohio) last week wasn't present on Wednesday night as the Bearcats dropped a 4-0 decision to the RedHawks at McKie Field.
Several miscues, including four errors, led to the Bearcats' (27-26) undoing. In addition to the errors in the field, UC also recorded a wild pitch and a passed both that each led to runs.
The Bearcats couldn't solve Miami (29-21) starter Chris Niro who stymied the visitors' bats with a dazzling outing. The junior, making just his fourth start of the year, held the Bearcats to a season-low two hits in the first complete game of his career to improve to 3-3 on the year. Jamel Scott had the biggest hit of the game for the Bearcats with a third inning triple.
Miami took advantage of a first inning error to go up 1-0. A one out miscue by Kevin Johnson paved the way for an Eric Darlage RBI ground out that put the RedHawks on the board. A third inning passed ball pushed the Miami advantage to 2-0 as Brandon Hillier raced home with the game's second run.
The RedHawks threatened to blow the game open in the fourth against Kyle Rapp, but were limited to just two runs. With two men on following consecutive singles, a sacrifice bunt attempt by Jason Crisper went bad for the Bearcats as an error on Josh Harrison loaded the bases. Rapp then got one out on a fielder's choice run that scored the third unearned run of the day and a wild pitch later pushed the Miami advantage to 4-0.
The story of the day was Niro who struck out five in the win. Miami's offense got six hits with Jeff Carroll, Hillier and Blake Chaffee collecting two each.
Jake Geglein (1-2) was the hard luck loser for the Bearcats, after allowing just one unearned run in his one inning of work. The start by Geglein was just the second of his career with the last coming one year ago to the day against the same RedHawks.
Cincinnati will try to bounce back tomorrow, opening a regular season closing series against Louisville. First pitch at Marge Schott Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. The pitching match-up will feature UC sophomore Michael Hill, taking on the Cards' Zack Pitts.