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RENO, Nev.- Freshman Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) and junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) each hit a 2-run homerun but the University of Cincinnati baseball team fell 17-6 to No. 29 University of Nevada on Saturday afternoon in Reno, Nevada.
//NOTABLES
- With the loss, Cincinnati falls to 6-15 while No. 29 Nevada improves to 20-4.
- Starting pitcher A.J. Olasz (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin Area) (0-3) took the loss for Cincinnati while Nevada's Michael Fain (3-0) earned the victory.
- Head coach Ty Neal penciled four freshmen into the starting lineup and has started at least four youngsters in each game this season. Freshmen Noda and Manny Rodriguez Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) have started every game for UC.
- Happ doubled in the first inning to extend his on-base streak to 18 games.
- For the third time this season, Noda hit a homerun in back-to-back games, giving him six on the year. He ranks third in the American Athletic Conference and has hit more homeruns than any other freshman in the conference.
- Happ also homered in the fifth inning to mark the fourth time this season that Cincinnati has hit two homeruns in a game. It was Happ's team-leading seventh long ball of the year.
- Freshman reliever Tristan Hammans (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial) pitched a career-high 3.1 innings on the mound and tied a career best with two strikeouts.
- The Bearcats tied a season high with three doubles in the game. Happ, sophomore Jake Richmond (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) and Rodriguez all doubled into left field during the first two innings.
- Nevada's eight runs scored in the third inning tied a season high for runs allowed in an inning for the Bearcats. UC also gave up eight runs twice against Mississippi State on Feb. 14 and 15.
- Nevada is ranked No. 29 in the Collegiate Baseball national poll and is receiving votes in both the NCBWA and the USA Today Coaches' Poll.
// KEY INNINGS
Top of the First
For the third game in the series, Cincinnati scored first, getting a run in the top of the first inning. Happ sent a two-out double off the wall in left field and junior Devin Wenzel (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood Area) followed with a single to bring Happ home.
Bottom of the First
Nevada put together a two-out rally of its own in the bottom of the frame, scoring four runs on three hits. After a leadoff strikeout by Olasz, Nevada's Ryan Howell doubled to left field to get on base before a walk and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. A single by Grant Fennell and a double by Jordan Devencenzi each scored two runs to put the Wolf Pack ahead 4-1.
Top of the Second
Cincinnati immediately responded to tie the game at 4-4. Richmond led off with a double to left field and two batters later, Rodriguez doubled to the same spot to score the sophomore. With two outs, Noda launched his second homerun in as many games over the left center field fence to even the game.
Bottom of the Third
The Wolf Pack bullied the Bearcats for eight runs off six hits in the third inning. The dagger came in the way of a grand slam by Howell that squeaked by the inside of the left field foul pole to clear the bases and put the Wolf Pack ahead 12-4.
Top of the Fifth
Ryan Noda was walked before Happ smashed his seventh homerun of the season over the wall in left field to cut the Nevada lead to 15-6.
//UP NEXT
After wrapping up four games on the west coast, the Bearcats will prepare for a midweek matchup against the University of Tennessee on Wednesday, March 25, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network with a 7 p.m. first pitch.
//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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