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HOUSTON -- The University of Cincinnati baseball team dropped its series finale 9-2 to the University of Houston on Sunday afternoon in Houston, Texas. Sophomore Jake Richmond (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) led the way with two hits but the Bearcats could only muster two runs on the day.
// NOTABLES
- With the loss, Cincinnati falls to 12-26 and 4-8 in the American while Houston improves to 26-14 and 7-5.
- Freshman starting pitching Dalton Lehnen (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) took the loss to fall to 1-6 on the year while Houston starter Seth Romero (4-3) earned the win.
- Junior catcher Woody Wallace (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) reached on an error in the fifth inning to extend his on base streak to a team-high 10 games.
- Head coach Ty Neal penciled five 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 every game for UC.
// KEY INNINGS
Bottom of the First
Cincinnati was forced into a deficit early after allowing five runs on four hits in the first inning. The Cougars sent all nine hitters to bat in the frame, capitalizing on a leadoff hit by pitch and a walk with two doubles and a triple to take a 5-0 lead.
Top of the Fifth
The Bearcats finally broke through on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning when Wallace sent a fly ball to the outfield that fell between the centerfielder and right fielder. Richmond scored from first base to get Cincinnati within 5-1.
Bottom of the Eighth
After tacking on single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, Houston scored two runs in the eighth when Chris Iriart hit his league-leading 13th homerun of the season to left field.
Top of the Ninth
Cincinnati added a run in the top of the ninth when junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) reached on an error to lead things off. He moved to third on a groundout by Richmond and scored from second when freshman Kyle Mottice (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Jackson) also reached on an error with two outs.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns to Marge Schott Stadium for a midweek game against former conference rival, No. 4 Louisville, on Tuesday, April 21. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
// 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/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.
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