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ATHENS, Ga. - The University of Cincinnati baseball team dropped a 5-2 decision to Western Kentucky University on Friday afternoon in Athens, Georgia, in the first game of the Georgia Foley Field Tournament. Senior Devin Wenzel (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood Area) extended his hitting streak to nine games, including all four games of this season, in the loss.
// Notables
- Cincinnati fell to 0-4 on the year while Western Kentucky improves to 3-1.
- Junior starting pitcher Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) took the loss to go to 0-1 on the season while WKU starter Austin King (1-0) earned the win.
- Wenzel is the only Bearcats player to have recorded a hit in all four games of the season and is riding a nine-game hit streak, dating back to May 14 of last season.
- Senior Woody Wallace (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) is still without a strikeout on the season. Heading into the weekend series, he was tied for first in the nation on the toughest to strikeout list.
- Freshman A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern) recorded his first-career RBI in the ninth inning. It was the only RBI of the game for Cincinnati.
// Key Innings
Bottom of the Third
The Bearcats used a pair of groundouts to get two quick outs in the frame, but the Hilltoppers responded with five straight hits to score four runs. With a runner on second, Thomas Peter hit his first-career homerun to left field for a 2-0 WKU lead. A triple, a single and a double brought home two more runs and the 4-0 advantage.
Top of the Fourth
Cincinnati got a run back in the fourth to get within 4-1. Wenzel tripled down third base line and scored when a pop up by sophomore Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) found the grass in shallow center field.
Top of the Seventh
The Bearcats had their best opportunity to add some runs to the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. Wallace and freshman A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern) hit back-to-back singles and sophomore Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Sophomore Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) hit the ball hard but right at the shortstop for the third out while the score remained 4-1 in favor of the Hilltoppers.
Bottom of the Seventh
Western Kentucky added to its lead when Peter singled up the middle for his third RBI of the game. The damage could have been worse but with the lases loaded and just one out, Wenzel snagged a liner at third base and beat the runner back to the bag for the unassisted double play.
Top of the Ninth
Cincinnati attempted a comeback, but couldn't muster more than a run in the top of the ninth inning. Noda doubled to lead off the frame and moved to third on a flyout by Wallace. The next batter, Bumpass, grounded out to the second baseman but drove in Noda for the 5-2 final score.
// Up Next
The Bearcats continue play at the Georgia Foley Field Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 27, with a 4 p.m. game against the host Georgia Bulldogs. The game will be streamed live on the SEC Network+ and available online through WatchESPN.com.
// 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 (@GoBearcatsBASE) and Coach Neal (@Ty_Neal_UC) on twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Facebook.
// Ticket Information
Season tickets for all 25 home matches can be purchased for as little $15. For more information, visit GoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.