TicketsMarch 7, 2010
CINCINNATI - For the second time in eight days, senior Beach Brooks delivered a game-winning, walk-off RBI, this time it was a sacrifice fly to right-center field with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, to give the University of Cincinnati baseball team a 7-6 walk-off win in the rubber match of a three-game series against Youngstown State University Sunday afternoon at Marge Schott Stadium.
Eight days ago, Brooks came off the bench and knocked a RBI-single into center field to cap off a seven-run ninth inning that gave the Bearcats the walk-off 7-6 triumph over Purdue University.
Brooks was summoned in to pinch-hit for UC in the bottom of the ninth following a triple to center field, in which the ball bounced off the base of the wall in center field and skipped away from the center fielder, by senior Jimmy Jacquot. On the next pitch, Brooks hit a fly ball to the wall in right-center field that was caught, but deep enough for Jacquot to score.
Cincinnati (5-4) held an early three-run lead, 5-2, courtesy of a five-run third inning that featured two-RBI singles by sophomore T.J. Jones and senior Kevin Johnson, and a RBI-single through the right side by sophomore Cory Hough.
Youngstown State (2-4) pulled within one run with a two-spot in the sixth, before a RBI-single by Joe Iacobucci tied the score in the seventh. Following the Iacobucci single, YSU had the opportunity to take the lead with runners on second and third with one out, but junior Brian Sand struck out Zach McFarland and forced a ground out by Greg Dissinger to end the threat.
Johnson led off the eighth with a walk and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by junior Justin Riddell as Cincinnati looked to regain the lead in the late innings. Freshman Jake Proctor came in to pinch run for Johnson and two batters later, he scored on a junior Mikel Huston double to left-center field, placing the Bearcats back in front, 6-5. UC loaded the bases later in the inning with one out, but consecutive strikeouts sent Cincinnati to the ninth holding on to the one-run lead.
With two outs in the ninth, Iacobucci hit what looked to be a routine fly ball, but it carried over the fence in right-center field, tying the game at six and keeping the Penguins hopes alive.
YSU's hopes quickly faded on the Jacquot triple, before Brooks sent the Bearcats home with a 7-6 win.
Huston led Cincinnati at the plate going a perfect 4-for-4 with four singles and a RBI, while Jones and Johnson drove in two runs apiece.
Senior Andrew Burkett picked up his first win of the season, while Youngstown State's Anthony Munoz fell to 0-2 on the young season.
UC continues its 11-game homestand on Wednesday, March 10, when LeMoyne comes to Marge Schott stadium for a 4 p.m. start.