TicketsMarch 6, 2010
CINCINNATI - Senior Tyler Smith went 7.0 innings, scattered three hits, struck out seven, and was in line for his first win of the season, but a three-run home run by Youngstown State University's Anthony Porter in the eighth inning propelled the Penguins to a 5-3 win over the University of Cincinnati baseball team Saturday evening at Marge Schott Stadium.
The loss snapped UC's three-game win streak and evened its record at 4-4, while YSU improved to 2-3 on the young season and evened the series at 1-1.
The Bearcats jumped out a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a senior Jimmy Jacquot solo home run to left-center field, his first round-tripper of the season.
Cincinnati tacked on another run in the third inning on a RBI single through the left side by sophomore T.J. Jones that scored junior Mikel Huston and upped the advantage to 2-0.
YSU put a two-spot on the scoreboard in the fifth courtesy of a two-RBI triple by Derek Carr, but Cincinnati recaptured the lead in the sixth courtesy of Jones.
Jones singled sharply to left-center field to open the sixth before stealing second base to move into scoring position. A fly ball to right field off the bat of senior Kevin Johnson was deep enough to move Jones to third base and during the next at-bat, freshman Logan Jackson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to plate Jones and put UC back on top, 3-2.
A scoreless seventh inning ensued and YSU's first two batters were retired in the eighth, but a walk and error put runners on the corners for Porter and he delivered the game-winning three-run homer.
Jones led Cincinnati with two hits and also stole two bases on the day to lead Cincinnati.
The rubber match between the Bearcats and Penguins is slated to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, at Marge Schott Stadium.