TicketsMarch 26, 2008
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio--The University of Cincinnati baseball scored nine runs in the first three innings and received seven shutout innings on the mound from starting pitcher Nick Johnson to take a 14-6 victory over Ohio on Wednesday afternoon at V.A Memorial Stadium.
UC came off the bus ready to hit, attacking for five runs in the top of the first inning off of Ohio starter Joe Stover. With the bases juiced following a walk, hit batter and single, Josh Harrison's double drove home the first two runs of the contest. Tyler Goodro followed with a double of his own to score two more and make it a 4-0 advantage. Cameron Satterwhite followed with a single and a groundout pushed Goodro home for the fifth run of the frame.
UC manufactured more offense in the second inning. Jamel Scott started the at-bat with an infield single, moved across the diamond via a wild pitch and score on Kevin Johnson's RBI single. Following a hit by Mike Spina that moved Kevin Johnson to third, an error by the pitcher scored Johnson. Satterwhite's second RBI single of the game made it an 8-0 lead.
Tony Campana opened the third inning with a walk, moved to second on a ground out and stole third. Spina's RBI single to right field put UC in front by a count of 9-0.
The offensive barrage continued in the fifth, when after the first two batters were retired, Kevin Johnson smashed a solo home run to stretch the advantage to 10-0.
Nick Johnson (2-0) had more than enough cushion, all but dominating the host Bobcats for seven innings. Johnson carried a no-hitter through the sixth inning before Matt Stiffler singled. Johnson allowed two hits and two base on balls, while striking out two. Ohio's Joe Stover fell to 0-3 with the loss.
With scoring opportunities dwindling, the Bobcats put together six runs in the eighth inning. A pair of walks started the threat. Zach Hartle and Gauntlett Eldemire each tallied two RBIs in the inning and Brandon Besl and Jason Selhorst added one apiece to make it a 10-6 contest.
Cincinnati responded in its last chance when Campana singled up the middle to continue his hitting streak at seven games. Scott's double to right-center field scored Campana. A triple by Spina scored two more runs for UC. A double to left-center field by Harrison brought around the final run of the game.
Spina concluded the game 4-for-5, with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Harrison was 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs of his own.
Matt Heber struck out the first two batters he faced and induced a fly out to close the door on the fourth-straight Bearcats win overall and first road win of the season.
Cincinnati looks to continue its momentum when it returns to BIG EAST Conference action this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Notre Dame. The series opener is slated for 5:05 p.m.