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CINCINNATI- The University of Cincinnati baseball team balanced strong pitching performances and clutch hitting for a 5-1 victory over Niagara University on Saturday afternoon in the home opener from Marge Schott Stadium.
Freshman Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) recorded his first-career multi-hit game with a triple and a 2-RBI single to pace the Bearcats' offense. On the mound, sophomore Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Farmersville) went 5.0 innings with just three hits and a season-high six strikeouts.
//Notables
- With the win, the Bearcats improve their record to 2-9 while Niagara falls to 0-5 on the season.
- Zellner (2-0) earned the victory, NU's Zach Kolodziejski (0-2) took the loos and UC freshman J.T. Perez (Orrville, Ohio/Orrville) earned his first career save after pitching 4.0 innings in relief.
- Cincinnati has won six consecutive home-opening games at Marge Schott Stadium. The last loss to open the home schedule came back on March 4, 2009, when UC lost 11-8 to Miami (Ohio).
- Head coach Ty Neal penciled five freshmen into the starting lineup and has started at least four freshmen in each game this season. Freshmen Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) and Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) have started all 11 games for UC.
- Zellner recorded a season-high six strikeouts and was just two shy of setting a new career mark.
- Haberkorn registered career highs in both hits (two) and RBI's (two) in the game.
- Perez went a career-best 4.0 innings and recorded a career-high three strikeouts.
- Junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) notched two hits in the game and has recorded at least a pair of hits on seven occasions this season.
- Sophomore Jake Richmond (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) had a season-high two hits in the ballgame.
// Key Innings
Top of the First
After doubling down the right field line and advancing on a fielder's choice, Thomas Rodrigues put Niagara on the board first with a sac fly from Taylor Hackett.
Bottom of the First
With the bases loaded junior Devin Wenzel (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood Area) hit a sac fly to deep center, bringing home sophomore Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) to tie the game at one.
Bottom of the Third
Noda was hit by a pitch, Richmond doubled and Wenzel was walked to load the bases with two outs. Haberkorn then singled up the middle, bringing home Richmond and Noda to give the Bearcats a 3-1 lead.
Bottom of the Seventh
Following a walk and a hit batsman that put McVey and Noda on board, the Bearcats added some insurance runs when Happ doubled down the left field line to up Cincinnati's lead to 5-1.
//Up Next
Cincinnati and Niagara will continue their series on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. Freshman southpaw Dalton Lehnen (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) is scheduled to start for the Bearcats.
//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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