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CINCINNATI- Junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) hit two homeruns to propel the University of Cincinnati baseball team to a 6-4 win over Niagara University on Sunday afternoon at Marge Schott Stadium. The outfielder hit a three-run homerun to left center in his first at bat to give the Bearcats an early 3-0 lead and added to his total with a solo shot in the third inning.
On the mound, freshman Dalton Lehnen (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) was effective through 5.1 innings with four strikeouts to just two walks. Senior Ryan Atkinson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) pitched 3.1 innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts.
//Notables
- With the win, the Bearcats improve their record to 3-9 while Niagara falls to 0-6 on the season.
- Atkinson (1-2) earned the victory while NU's Cody Eckerson (0-1) took the loss.
- Head coach Ty Neal penciled six freshmen into the starting lineup and has started at least four youngsters in each game this season. Freshmen Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) and Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) have started all 12 games for UC.
- Happ hit multiple homeruns in a game for the first time in his career. He currently sits on five homeruns in 2015 after hitting five for the entire 2014 season.
- Happ tied career highs with four RBIs and three runs scored while setting a career high with eight total bases.
- Freshman J.J. Carr (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) recorded a career-high three hits in the game with one RBI.
// Key Innings
Bottom of the First
Sophomore Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and freshman Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) was walked to put two runners with no outs for the Bearcats. Happ made Niagara pay, sending the first pitch he saw over the fence in left center field for a 3-0 UC lead.
Bottom of the Third
Happ was at it again in the third inning, this time waiting until the third pitch of the at bat to launch a solo shot to the same spot in left center field. The homer gave UC a 4-0 lead.
Top of the Sixth
Niagara worked to get all four runs back in the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4. With two runners on, Michael Fuhrman doubled to cut the UC lead to 4-2. Fuhrman then advanced to third on a single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Firenzi to get the Purple Eagles within 4-3. With one out, Lehnen was lifted in favor of Atkinson, but a Cincinnati throwing error allowed the tying run to score before the final out was recorded.
Bottom of the Sixth
The Bearcats wasted no time regaining the lead when a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by freshman Joey Thomas (Mason, Ohio/Mason) scored junior Devin Wenzel (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood Area) to put UC ahead 5-4.
Bottom of the Seventh
One inning later, Cincinnati added an insurance run with Carr's third hid of the ballgame. With runners on first and third, Carr singled through the right side to score Happ and give UC the 6-4 margin.
//Up Next
Cincinnati will look for the series sweep over Niagara on Monday, March 9. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Marge Schott Stadium.
//Follow the Bearcats
For all of the latest information on Cincinnati baseball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up to the minute updates, follow Cincinnati baseball (@UCincyBaseball) and Coach Neal (@Ty_Neal_UC) on twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Facebook.
//Ticket Information
Season tickets for all 23 home matches can be purchased for as little $10. For more information, visit GoBEARCATS.com/ticketsor call 1-877-CATS-TIX.
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