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CINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati attempted a late-inning comeback but fell to ECU 6-4 on Friday night at Marge Schott Stadium. The team honored its only senior, Ryan Atkinson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), before the start of the game in a senior day ceremony.
Junior catcher Woody Wallace (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) recorded three hits and tied a career high with three RBIs to lead the Bearcats.
// NOTABLES
- With the loss, Cincinnati drops to 15-38 on the year and 6-17 in the American while East Carolina improves to 35-20 and 13-9.
- Starting pitcher Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) (2-4) took the loss after tossing 7.0 innings with three earned runs and five strikeouts. ECU's Evan Kruczynski (7-4) earned the win.
- Head coach Ty Neal penciled five freshmen into the starting lineup and has started at least four youngsters in each game this season. Freshman Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) has started every game for UC.
- Freshman Dalton Lehnen (Lakeville, Ohio/Lakeville) made his first-career appearance from the bullpen, entering the game in the eighth inning and allowing two hits in 1.1 innings of work.
- Junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) was walked for the 47th time this season, tying his career mark set during his freshman season in 2013. It was his 126th career walk and he currently ranks third on the all-time list.
// KEY INNINGS
Top of the Second
Zellner needed just eight pitches to retire the side, getting two strikeouts and a flyout to keep ECU off the base paths.
Bottom of the Second
The Bearcats struck first in the second inning after junior Devin Wenzel (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood Area) doubled and moved to third on a groundout by freshman Chris Klenk (Portage, Ind./Portage). Wallce then delivered his first RBI of the game on a single through the left side to put his team ahead 1-0.
Top of the Fourth
ECU recorded three straight singles before a bases-loaded hit by pitch tied the game at 1-1. The next batter flied out but a costly UC throwing error allowed two runs to score to put give the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
Bottom of the Eighth
Facing a steep 6-1 deficit, the Bearcats scored three runs in the eighth inning to make the game interesting. Freshman Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) was walked, Noda was hit by a pitch and sophomore R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) singled to load the bases with one out. The next batter, Wenzel, grounded out to score one run before Wallace hit a timely 2-RBI single up the middle two batters later.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats will play in their final regular-season game on Saturday, May 16, against the Pirates of ECU. The game was originally scheduled for a Noon start but has been moved to 11 a.m. because of impending inclement weather.
The baseball program will honor former Bearcats great Kevin Youkilis by retiring his No. 36 jersey in a pregame ceremony which will start at approximately 10:30 a.m. Youkilis also will celebrate his retirement from Major League Baseball with a postgame celebration on Sheakley Lawn, behind the outfield fence. Tickets to the event are $100 and can be purchased in advance by calling Sarah King at 513-556-0556, or at the door.
// 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.
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