TicketsApril 2, 2011
BETHESDA, Md. - Junior OF/C Braden Kline's (Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw Community) two-run home run in the eighth inning lifted the University of Cincinnati baseball team past Georgetown University 5-3 on Saturday at Shirley Povich Field.
The Bearcats rallied for four runs in the eighth, highlighted by Kline's blast. Sophomore outfielder Jake Proctor (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) started the inning with a single and scored on a double to right centerfield from freshman OF/DH Justin Glass (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll). In the ensuing at-bat, Kline took the first pitch from GU relief pitcher Billy Cosmopulos over the left field wall. Four batters later, pinch hitter Justin Riddell (Lexington, Ky./Lexington Catholic) hit an RBI-single to centerfield that scored junior catcher Jake Saylor (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton) and increased UC's lead to 5-3.
Freshman RHP Matt Ring (Muncie, Ind./Yorktown) pitched three scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win for Cincinnati (12-12, 2-3 BIG EAST). Ring entered the game in the seventh inning after starter Andrew Strenge (Yardley, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) threw six innings, allowing just three runs with seven strikeouts.
All three of Georgetown's runs came by way of leadoff home runs.
Hoyas catcher Erick Fernandez got the scoring started with a leadoff home run to the left field corner in the bottom of the second inning. GU outfielder Dan Godefroi clubbed a longball of own, a solo shot to right field in the third inning that put the Hoyas ahead 2-0.
With two outs and bases loaded in the fifth, Proctor gave UC its first run with an RBI-single to centerfield scoring junior first baseman Nic Spence (Victoria, Australia/St. Joseph's). Pinch hitter T.J. Jones (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) attempted to score from second base, but was thrown out at home plate to end the inning.
Georgetown centerfielder Justin Leeson, hit the Hoyas' third leadoff home run of the game in the sixth inning to increase GU's lead 3-1.
Kline, who finished the game 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, extended his hit streak to 16 games with a single in the second inning.
The Bearcats will attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Hoyas when they play at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Shirley Povich Field.