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CINCINNATI -- Junior Devin Wenzel (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood Area) hit a pair of homeruns, including the game-winning 3-run shot in the ninth inning, to lead the University of Cincinnati baseball team to an 8-5 come from behind win at crosstown rival Xavier on Wednesday afternoon.
The Bearcats faced a 4-1 deficit after three innings but rallied to tie the score on two occasions before Wenzel's second homerun of the day put them ahead for good in the ninth inning. The junior third baseman finished with three hits, two homeruns, five RBIs and three runs scored.
// NOTABLES
- With the victory, Cincinnati improves to 13-27 while Xavier falls to 10-31.
- Freshman relief pitcher Jarod Yoakam (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) threw one inning and did not allow a base runner to earn the victory and move to 3-4 on the season. Sophomore Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) kept the Musketeers scoreless in the ninth to pick up his fourth save of the season. Xavier's Zach Johnson took the loss.
- Wenzel hit his second and third homeruns of the year while junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) launched his 11th of the season. It was the second three-homerun game for the Bearcats this season (Memphis, 4/12/15).
- 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 every game for UC.
- Happ was walked in the first inning and intentionally walked in the ninth inning for his 114th and 115th career free bases. He currently ranks sixth on the UC all-time record book and needs just two more to tie Matt Primack (1993-96) for fifth with 117 walks. Happ has totaled 36 walks in 40 games this season to lead the American Athletic Conference and rank 15th nationally.
- It was the second win over Xavier in eight days for Cincinnati. The Bearcats also topped the Musketeers 4-0 on April 14 in the opening game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic. The teams will meet for a third time on May 12 at Marge Schott Stadium, a makeup date from the original game that was cancelled on March 3.
// KEY INNINGS
Bottom of the First
The Bearcats immediately took control of the game, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Happ drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Wenzel then followed with an RBI-single to center field that scored Happ and gave UC a 1-0 lead.
Bottom of the Second
Xavier rallied for two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead. Starting pitcher Tanner Schimmoeller (Ottawa, Ohio/Ottawa-Glandorf) put the leadoff runner on base with a hit by pitch and allowed back to back singles by Joe Gellenbeck and Rylan Bannon go put Xavier ahead.
Top of the Fourth
Happ cut the Xavier lead to 3-2 in the fourth with a solo homerun over the left field fence. It was his team-leading 11th homerun of the season and puts him in a tie for second in the American.
Top of the Sixth
Cincinnati put together a 2-out rally in the sixth inning to tie the score at 4-4. Happ doubled off the wall in centerfield and Wenzel was walked. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored when Noda singled to the second baseman. Freshman Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) followed with a single and junior Woody Wallace (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) was walked to load the bases but the Bearcats left them stranded in a 4-4 ballgame.
Top of the Eighth
After a Xavier homerun in the seventh, Wenzel tied the game again with a solo shot of his own in the eighth. The ball sailed over the wall in left center field to bring the score to 5-5.
Top of the Ninth
Jake Richmond (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) was walked and Happ was intentionally walked to put two runners on base for Wenzel in a 5-5 game. The junior launched his second homerun of the game, giving Cincinnati a three-run margin heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Bottom of the Ninth
Zellner entered the game from the bullpen and allowed two singles but struck out the side to secure his team-leading fourth save of the season.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns to American Athletic Conference action with a three-game series against Tulane on April 24-26 at Marge Schott Stadium. The games will be played at 6 p.m. both Friday and Saturday and at Noon on Sunday.
Sunday also will represent the Bearcats' Vs. Cancer day. All season the team has been raising money for the Vs. Cancer Foundation to fight childhood cancer and all players will shave their heads following the game in support of the organization. The Bearcats are close to reaching their goal of $10,000 raised and fans can contribute to the cause by donating here.
// 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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