TicketsMarch 10, 2010
CINCINNATI - A sixth-run, eighth inning by the University of Cincinnati baseball team widened a one-run lead to a seven-run cushion giving the Bearcats a 13-6 mid-week triumph over LeMoyne College Wednesday evening at Marge Schott Stadium.
Cincinnati (6-4) trailed for most of the game against LeMoyne (5-7), who two weekends ago took two-of-three games from then-No. 21 Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss. However, a two-run sixth inning put Cincinnati in front, 7-6, before the six-run eighth secured UC's fifth win in its last six games.
Senior Jimmy Jacquot finished 3-for-4 on the day and drove in three runs, including a two-run home run in the eighth inning to kick start the six-run frame. In addition to Jacquot, sophomore T.J. Jones, junior Justin Riddell, and senior Beach Brooks drove in two runs apiece.
The Bearcats fell behind in the first inning on a two-run home run by Chris Edmondson, but Jones responded with a solo home run of his own, his first of the season, in the bottom of the inning to cut the UC deficit in half, 2-1, after an inning of play.
The Dolphins tacked on a run in the second to widen its lead to 3-1, but UC got the bats going in the fourth. The first three batters reached base for the Bearcats in the inning to load the bases, and an infield single by Jacquot scored Jones from third base and kept the bases loaded. A single to left field during the next at-bat by Brooks scored two more giving Cincinnati its first lead of the day, 4-3. The threat ended quickly, however, as a double play and a pop up ended the inning.
From that point, the see-saw game started as LeMoyne scored two in the fifth to re-take a one-run lead, 5-4, but UC manufactured a run in the bottom of the inning tying the game at five. A half-inning later, the Dolphins took another one-run lead, 6-5, but the Bearcats responded once again with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
UC put runners on first and second base with one out in the sixth and a RBI-single through the right side by senior Kevin Johnson followed by a RBI infield single by Riddell catapulted the Bearcats back in front, 7-6.
A scoreless seventh ensued, before Cincinnati erupted for six runs in the eight to close out the 13-6 win.
Freshman Andrew Strenge picked up the first win in his career after giving up five hits and one earned run in 3.1 innings of relief. Strenge also punched out four batters without relinquishing a walk.
Senior Jamel Scott picked up two stolen bases on the day, marking the third time this season that Scott has recorded two steals in a contest. Scott now has nine steals on the season in 10 tries.
UC continues its 11-game homestand on Friday, March 12, when the Bearcats begin a four-game weekend series against Niagara University at 4 p.m. at Marge Schott Stadium. Following its series-opening game on Friday, the Bearcats and Purple Eagles will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 13, beginning at 1 p.m., before concluding the series on Sunday, March 13, at 1 p.m.