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OXFORD, Ohio - The University of Cincinnati baseball team opened the eighth annual Joe Nuxhall Classic on Tuesday afternoon, falling to Wright State 6-1 at McKie Field on the campus of Miami University.
The Raiders' starting pitcher, Robby Sexton, stole the show, not allowing a UC base runner until the sixth inning and keeping the Bearcats hitless until the seventh inning. Redshirt junior Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) laid down a bunt single with 1 out in the seventh inning to break up the no-hit bid.
// Notables
- Cincinnati falls to 16-17 on the year while Wright State improves to 21-10.
- Starting pitcher A.J. Olasz (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin Area) (1-3) took the loss while WSU's
Sexton (3-2) earned the win.
- Freshman Mason DeAnna (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/St. Edward) made his first-career start behind the plate. He had previously appeared in one game against No. 13 Ole Miss on March 6 and did not record an at bat.
- Freshman Garrett Zoukis (Reston, Va./Landon) made his collegiate debut when he entered at third base in the bottom of the fourth inning.
- It was the first time Cincinnati has been held to just one hit since May 5, 2012, vs. UConn.
- The Bearcats are now 8-7 all-time in the Joe Nuxhall Classic.
// Key Innings
Bottom of the Second
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Wright State increased its lead to 5-0 in the second. An RBI-single by John Brodner got things started before a bases-loaded double by Mitch Roman scored three runs.
Top of the Seventh
With one out, McVey laid down a bunt single down the third base line to break up the no-hit bid for Sexton. He then stole second but was stranded there after a groundout by senior Woody Wallace (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) ended the inning.
Top of the Eighth
Junior R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason), freshman Cole Murphy (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) and Zoukis were all walked to load the bases with nobody out. DeAnna then grounded into a double play but it brought home Thompson to end the shutout and bring the score to 5-1.
// THE JOE NUXHALL CLASSIC
- 2016 marks the eighth-annual Joe Nuxhall Classic after the tournament originated in 2009 to honor its namesake, the legendary Reds player and announcer, Joe Nuxhall.
- Cincinnati, Miami, Wright State and Xavier have participated in every installment of the Joe Nuxhall Classic.
- The Bearcats have won the tournament three times, with the latest coming in 2014, the last time it was hosted at Miami University.
- Wright State also has won the championship three times, including the 2015 season over UC at Marge Schott Stadium.
- Xavier won the inaugural Joe Nuxhall Classic, topping WSU in a game at Cincinnati.
- Joe Nuxhall Classic Champion | Runner Up | Host
2009 - Xavier University | Wright State University | Host
2010 - University of Cincinnati | Miami University | Miami University
2011 - University of Cincinnati | Wright State University | University of Cincinnati
2012 - Wright State University | Miami University | Miami University
2013 - Wright State University | University of Cincinnati | University of Cincinnati
2014 - University of Cincinnati | Miami University | Miami University
2015 - Wright State University | University of Cincinnati | University of Cincinnati
- Nuxhall became the youngest player to ever appear in an MLB game when he took the mound for the Reds in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Crosley Field on June 10, 1944, at the age of 15.
- He played for 16 years in the major leagues and immediately upon retiring began a 40-year broadcasting career with the Reds.
// Up Next
Cincinnati will play its second game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic on Wednesday, April 13, at McKie Field at Hayden Park in Oxford, Ohio. The game will either be at 3 p.m. vs. Xavier or 7 p.m. vs. Miami with exact time and opponents to be named following the XU/MU game later tonight.
// 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.