TicketsApril 5, 2008
STORRS, Conn.--Ryan Baker knocked a two-run double to break the game open in the sixth inning for the University of Cincinnati en route to a 5-3 win over Connecticut in Game One of the BIG EAST Conference doubleheader. Baker reached safely in all four plate appearances and finished the first game 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Cincinnati.
The Huskies struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Bearcats starting pitcher Dan Osterbrock allowed a leadoff double and one batter later, a ground ball up the middle allowed the run to score.
With two outs in the fourth inning, Connecticut put together three consecutive singles to bring home the second run of the day.
The Bearcats' tied the game in the fifth inning. Ryan Baker opened the frame with a double to center field. After a pair of lineouts, Jamel Scott ripped a double down the left field line to plate Baker and cut the margin in half. On the very next pitch, Josh Harrison lined a single to right field and Scott scored to even the game, at 2.
Base hits by Kevin Johnson and Cameron Satterwhite, followed by a passed ball moved the runners into scoring position with Mike Spina at the plate. Spina rapped UC's third consecutive single of the inning and Johnson scored to give the visiting team its first lead of the day. Two batters later, Baker knocked his second double in as many innings and both runners scored, pushing the advantage to 5-2.
Connecticut bounced back with a run in the sixth to cut the lead to 5-3.
Osterbrock spread 13 hits and struck out three over seven innings of work before giving way to reliever Billy Welsh. Welsh worked two scoreless innings of relief to record his first save of the season.