Tickets
Final Stats
| UC-UT Game 1 Box Score 
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Cincinnati baseball team knocked off No. 25 Tennessee Friday by a 2-1 margin on the strength of a strong pitching performance from Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) and David Orndorff (Pasadena, Calif./Pasadena Polytechnic) at Lindsey Nelson Field.
The Bearcats (6-6) won their third-straight game, snapped the Volunteers' (9-2) eight-game winning streak, earned their first-ever victory in Knoxville and won their first game against UT since 1976.
Zellner scattered four hits and a run over six solid innings, striking out three and walking three. Orndorff pitched three scoreless innings for the save, striking out a pair.
Jace Mercer's (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) base running led to the Bearcats plating the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth. After singling to right field, Mercer advanced to third on a single to left field by A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern). Following a Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) walk, the Bearcats executed a double steal where Mercer broke for second and stayed in a rundown long enough for Mercer to steal home, giving UC a 2-1 lead.
The Bearcats took a 1-0 lead in the first after McVey hit his second homerun of the season off UT starter Hunter Martin. The Vols evened things up in the bottom of the second after Benito Santiago hit a homerun of his own to lead off the inning.
McVey finished 2-for-3 with his homerun an RBI, stolen base and a walk. Mercer and R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) were both 2-for-4 with a pair of singles apiece.
// NOTABLES
▪ The two teams are meeting in Knoxville for the first time since the 1986 season.
▪ The Bearcats are 6-17-1 all-time against Tennessee and had dropped the previous 12 matchups in Knoxville.
▪ UC snapped Tennessee's 13-game winning streak in the series.
▪ McVey and Mercer share the team lead with three stolen bases.
▪ Zellner has pitched six or more innings in all four of his 2017 starts and his last 10 starts dating back to the 2016 campaign.
▪ Orndorff's save was his first of the season and third of his career.
// KEY INNINGS
Top of the First
Cincinnati drew first blood, taking an early 1-0 lead. Mercer struck out swinging. Bumpass flew out to right field. McVey homered with two outs to put the Bearcats ahead early. Thompson flew out to end the inning.
Bottom of the Second
Santiago hit a leadoff off of Zellner to even the score at one run apiece. struck out, Derkay lined out to left field and Thornton flew out to right in succession to end the inning.
Top of the Fifth
Santiago grounded out to open the frame. Mercer singled to right field. Bumpass singled to but was thrown out trying to take stretch a single into a double. Mercer advanced to third. McVey walked, broke for second on the next pitch and stayed alive long enough to plate Mercer who was credited with a stolen base to put the Bearcats ahead 2-1.
// UP NEXT
UC will play two tomorrow due to forecasted inclement weather in the Knoxville area. First pitch for game one will occur at noon ET with game two of the day following 45 minutes after the final out of game one. It will be a pair of lefties on the hill as UC's J.T. Perez (0-2, 6.46 ERA) faces UT's Zach Warren (1-1, 3.65 ERA) in game one of the day. Projected starters for game two have not been announced. Both games will be broadcast via BearcatsTV on GoBEARCATS.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 24 home games can be purchased for as little $15. For more information, visit GoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX. Single-game tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for youths (ages 4-12) and seniors (ages 65 and up).