TicketsApril 13, 2010
OXFORD, Ohio - Trailing by one run heading into the ninth inning, the University of Cincinnati baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the frame to defeat Wright State University, 6-5, in the opening game of the 2010 Joe Nuxhall Classic Tuesday evening at McKie Field at Hayden Park.
Senior Jimmy Jacquot tied things up for UC (16-14) in the ninth inning when he deposited the ninth pitch of his at-bat against Wright State's (13-13) Jordan Marker over the wall in left-center field to tie the game at five. The one-out home run was Jacquot's sixth of the season.
Senior Kevin Johnson followed Jacquot with a single to center field and during a Raiders pitching change, senior Brian Garman came in the game to pinch run for Johnson. Following a fly out, Garman stole second base and moved to third base on a throwing error by the WSU catcher, putting the winning run 90 feet away. With junior Justin Riddell at the plate, a wild pitch advanced far enough away from the catcher allowing Garman to score, giving the Bearcats the walk-off win.
UC got off to a good start in the opening inning courtesy of three consecutive two-out hits. Jacquot started the two-out rally with a single up the middle and proceeded to third base on a single to left field off the bat of Johnson. On the first pitch of his at-bat, junior Chris Peters singled through the left side scoring Jacquot and placing the Bearcats on top, 1-0.
However, the Raiders followed UC's run with three runs in the second inning and two runs in the third inning, which included a two-run home run by Tristan Moore, to jump in front, 5-1.
Cincinnati bounced back in the fourth inning thanks to a two-run double off the bat of sophomore Kiley Jones and a RBI-single by senior Jamel Scott, cutting the UC deficit to one run, 5-4.
Junior Josh Godfrey came in the ballgame in the sixth inning in relief of Johnson, and had his best performance of the season giving up three hits, while striking out two in four innings of scoreless relief to keep the Bearcats in the game.
In the ninth inning, Godfrey's teammates came through to close out the 6-5 come-from-behind win.
Jacquot, Johnson, and Peters all collected two hits, while Jones led the squad with two RBI. Godfrey's 4.0 innings of work earned him his first win in a Bearcats uniform.
The Bearcats play the winner of tonight's Miami (OH)/Xavier game on Wednesday, April 14, at McKie Field at Hayden Park. The game time has yet to be determined. If the RedHawks defeat the Musketeers, UC will meet MU at 6:30 p.m. If XU downs MU, the Bearcats will play the Musketeers in the championship game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic at 3 p.m.