Tickets
PDF Box Score
ORLANDO - The University of Cincinnati baseball team surrendered four runs in the seventh inning and seven runs in the eighth en route to a 12-1 loss to UCF in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday afternoon. It was the second consecutive game in which the Bearcats have allowed the game-winning run in the seventh, after giving up five runs during the frame in Friday night's 8-7 loss to the Knights.
Redshirt sophomore Connor McVey (Mason Ohio/Mason) drove in UC's only run with a groundout in the top of the sixth inning to tie the score at 1-1.
// Notables
- Cincinnati falls to 21-25-1 on the year and 9-7-1 in the American Athletic Conference while UCF improves to 23-24 and 8-9.
- UC starter J.T. Perez (Orrville, Ohio/Orrville (5-4) took the loss while UCF starter Juan Pimentel (3-6) earned the win after pitching 8.0 innings.
- Sophomore Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) did not get on base in the game, snapping a 20-game reached base streak.
- Sophomore Kyle Mottice (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Jackson) laid down a bunt single in the sixth inning to extend his on-base streak to 14 games.
- McVey doubled down the left field line in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The third baseman recorded a team-high 20-game hitting streak earlier in the season, spanning from Feb. 27 to March 29.
// Key Innings
Bottom of the Third
Matthew Mika opened the inning with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a groundout. A single up the middle brought home the first run of the day to give UCF a 1-0 lead. An intentional walk put two runners on but a lineout right at third baseman McVey ended the inning.
Top of the Sixth
Back-to-back singles by freshman Vince Augustine (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) and Mottice put two runners in scoring position before a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Haberkorn moved both runners into scoring position. McVey then grounded out to the shortstop but it was enough to bring home Augustine and tie the score at 1-1.
Bottom of the Seventh
A handful of defensive miscues in the seventh inning led to four UCF runs without a hit for a 5-1 lead. With the bases loaded and no outs, the first run of the inning came home on a fielding error before a passed ball allowed another run to score. A force out at the plate recorded the first out for the Knights but another passed ball made it 4-1 in favor of the Knights. The final run scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Dorio before a flyout to Haberkorn in centerfield finally ended the damage.
Bottom of the Eighth
The Knights did the rest of their damage with two outs in the eighth inning, putting a runner on with a hit by pitch before back-to-back singles scored the first run. A walk and a single scored another run before a bases-loaded double cleared the base paths for a 10-1 UCF lead. The final two runs scored on a 2-run homerun by Austin Griffin for the 12-1 score line.
// Up Next
The Bearcats and the Knights conclude their American series on Sunday, May 8. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Jay Bergman Field.
// 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.