TicketsApril 16, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS -- Two runs in the first inning gave the University of Cincinnati all it would need, as starting pitcher Kevin Johnson held Butler without a hit through the first four innings en route to a 7-1 decision this afternoon at Bulldog Park. The victory marked the 20th of the season for UC and snapped a brief two-game skid for the second place team in the BIG EAST Conference.
Cincinnati (20-13) returned to its winning formula of timely hitting and base running to manufacture a pair of runs in the opening frame. Tony Campana led off the afternoon with a single and quickly stole second. Campana now leads UC with 26 stolen bases on the season. Campana moved to third on a fly out. After Josh Harrison walked and stole second base, Campana came home on Cameron Satterwhite's sacrifice fly. It was two batters later when Kevin Johnson singled and Harrison scored from second base to give UC a 2-0 advantage.
Pulling double duty as the starting pitcher, as well as the designated hitter, Johnson held the Bulldogs without a hit until Ryan Neat opened up the fifth inning with a single up the middle to breakup the no-hit bid. Johnson allowed an infield single and a walk to load the bases, before inducing an inning-ending ground out to halt the threat.
The Bearcats extended their lead to 3-0 in the sixth inning. Michael Obyc opened the inning by coaxing a full-count walk and came all the way around to score on Nick Rohlfs' double to left-center field.
UC pushed the lead to 4-0 in the seventh inning. Harrison, started the inning with an infield single and hurried home on Satterwhite's double to right-center field. Harrison finished the day 3-for-4 at the plate, with a pair of runs scored. Hitting in the cleanup spot, Satterwhite also went 3-for-4, with two doubles and two runs batted in.
After replacing Brian Sand in the sixth inning, Matt Heber found trouble in the bottom of the seventh when he yielded a one-out double. A fielding error moved the runner to third and a fielder's choice scored Butler's first run of the game.
That was as close as Butler (7-21) would get, as Cincinnati took advantage of three bases-loaded walks in the ninth to put the game away.
Justin Schultheiss gave up one hit in a scoreless eighth inning for UC. Jake Geglein gave up two hits, but closed the door on Butler in the ninth with a strikeout to finish the 7-1 triumph.
Eight pitchers toed the rubber in the game for the Bulldogs, with Jamie Feldheiser, Chris Denney, Tyler Tepe and Evan DePotter each making scoreless appearances.
Cincinnati returns to action on Friday when it hosts BIG EAST foe Georgetown in the first of three games set for the weekend. Friday's matchup at Marge Schott Stadium is set to get underway at 6:30 p.m.
--GoBEARCATS.com--