TicketsApril 8, 2008
OXFORD, Ohio--Josh Harrison's grand slam home run in the top of the sixth inning broke a 7-7 tie and paved the way for a 13-7 University of Cincinnati victory over Miami University. Harrison knocked a solo home run in the second inning and Tyler Goodro and Mike Spina also notched homers for Cincinnati en route to the victory.
Tony Campana received a base on balls, setting up a long first inning for the Miami pitching staff. With the bases loaded and two outs, after Josh Harrison and Kevin Johnson both walked, an error by the RedHawks' centerfielder allowed Spina's fly ball to drop and Campana and Harrison scored. On the next pitch, Tyler Goodro lined a single to center field and Johnson came home to make it a 3-0 advantage in the early going.
The Bearcats added a run in the second inning, when Harrison tagged an off-speed pitch over the left-center field fence to make it a 4-0 lead.
Cincinnati (16-11) opened added to its lead with three runs on Tyler Goodro's second homer of the season in the third inning. Cameron Satterwhite singled and Spina was hit by pitch to set the table for Goodro's three-run blast to center field and a 7-0 UC lead.
Miami (7-21) came back with a two-out, two-run rally in the bottom of the third to cut the margin to 7-2.
Bearcats starter Brian Garman found trouble in the fifth inning, hitting the first two batters of the frame before giving up a double down the left field line that cut the margin to 7-3. Brian Sand entered the game in relief of Garman, who allowed five runs on six hits, while striking out one and walking one over four innings. Sand retired the first batter he faced before being rudely greeted with back-to-back hits that cut the game to 7-5. Adam Calez replaced Sand and yielded a pair of infield singles that plated two more runs and evened the game, at 7 before putting a halt to the scoring.
UC responded immediately in its ensuing at-bat with three consecutive singles by Ryan Baker, Chris Peters, and Campana load the bases with nobody out for Harrison. On a 2-0 pitch, Harrison smashed a grand slam to left-center field to make it an 11-7 Cincinnati lead. With Johnson aboard after a single, Spina smashed a towering home run, his second in as many games, to pad the lead, at 13-7.
Calez silenced the RedHawks' bats for the three and two-thirds innings before leaving with two on in the bottom of the ninth. The senior lefthander earned his first win of the season. Jake Geglein entered the game and retired three batters in order, the first two by strikeouts, to secure the victory.
All nine Bearcats in the order recorded at least one hit. Goodro went 2-for-5 in the designated hitter spot, including a three-run home run and totaled four RBIs. Johnson went 2-for-4, with two runs scored. Campana also scored two runs in the win.
The Bearcats continue their road swing on Wednesday when they travel to Wright State. First pitch from Nischwitz Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
--GoBEARCATS.com--