TicketsApril 6, 2008
STORRS, Conn.--On a cold, blustery day, Mike Spina went 2-for-4, with three RBIS, including a two-run home run in the second inning that started the University of Cincinnati's offense in a 6-4 win at Connecticut. Cincinnati was cruising along, but UConn threatened in the ninth before Billy Welsh closed the door to seal the BIG EAST Conference series sweep.
Cincinnati's infield made a pair of miscues that led to a two runs and a 2-0 Connecticut lead after one inning.
Cincinnati (15-11, 7-2 BIG EAST) responded with two runs of their own to even the score in the top of the second. With one out, Cameron Satterwhite singled and Spina blasted his third home run of the year, off of Connecticut starting pitcher Elliot Glynn (1-2), beyond the left field fence to knot the score, at 2-2.
The Bearcats' Chris Peters opened the third inning with a single and moved to third after a throwing error by Huskies starting pitcher Elliott Glynn. Tony Campana's infield single allowed Peters to score and gave the visiting Bearcats their first lead of the day. Jamel Scott followed with a single and a fielder's choice off the bat of Josh Harrison notched the first out of the frame and put runners on first and third base. After Kevin Johnson walked on five pitches, Satterwhite knocked a sacrifice fly that plated Campana. Spina singled to score Harrison for his third RBI of the day and a 5-2 advantage.
In the seventh inning, Campana led off with an infield single, stole second base and moved to third via a wild pitch from reliever David Erickson. A sacrifice fly by Harrison brought home Campana to make it 6-2.
Bearcats starting pitcher Tyler Smith (3-2) pitched into the sixth inning before giving way to the bullpen. Smith tossed five and two-thirds innings on the mound, giving up two unearned runs in the first on four his and struck out seven.
Adam Calez, Brian Sand, and Jake Geglein combined for three innings of scoreless relief before Geglein found himself in trouble in the bottom of the ninth. One out away from cruising to an apparent save, Geglein gave up a bases-loaded single with two outs to allow UConn to cut the margin to 6-4.
Connecticut (15-15, 5-7 BIG EAST) had runners on first and second when Welsh entered the game. The UC stopper struck out the only batter he faced. In the process, Welsh registered his third save of the weekend and preserved the 6-4 win.
Cincinnati continues its road swing on Tuesday when its travels north to Oxford for its matchup at Miami (OH). First pitch from McKie Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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