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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Cincinnati baseball team suffered a 2-1 loss against No. 25 Tennessee despite a strong pitching performance from J.T. Perez (Orrville, Ohio/Orrville) in game one of a Saturday doubleheader at Lindsey Nelson Field.
The Bearcats (6-7) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end while Tennessee moved to 10-2 on the season.
A walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth by Tennessee's Jeff Moberg off UC reliever A.J. Kullman (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) scored Andrew to give Tennessee a 2-1 win. Perez took the loss after pitching a gem of a game. He went 8.1 innings, throwing 115 pitches, giving up two runs, five hits, walking four and striking out six. His record dropped to 0-3 on the season.
UC scored in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead after Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) led off with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on an error by UT starter Zach Linginfelter and scored on a Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) groundout.
Then it was Perez's turn and he responded by retiring 14 batters in-a-row between the bottom of the second and bottom of the seventh innings.
Moberg did most of the damage for the Volunteers on the afternoon with a home run, the game-winning single and 2 RBIs.
The second game of Saturday's twin bill was scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m. ET. Listen to a live audio broadcast of the game on the BearcatsTV platform through GoBEARCATS.com.
// NOTABLES
▪ The two teams are meeting in Knoxville for the first time since the 1986 season.
▪ The Bearcats are 6-18-1 all-time against Tennessee.
▪ Perez's 8.1 innings pitched was his longest outing of the 2017 season and longest road start of his career. His three previous best starts were at Marge Schott Stadium. He went 9.0 innings against Canisius on March 11, and versus Houston on May 14, and threw 8.1 innings against UConn on April 9, 2016.
// KEY INNINGS
Top of the First
The Bearcats scored first for the second game in-a-row, thanks to smart base running. Mercer led off with a walk and stole second. After Bumpass struck out swinging, Mercer advanced to third on an error by the pitcher. McVey grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Mercer and giving UC a 1-0 lead. Thompson grounded out to end the inning.
Bottom of the Eighth
Moberg homered on a 1-0 count with one out in the inning to knot things up at one run apiece.
Bottom of the Ninth
Santiago struck out swinging. doubled to center field and Derkay walked to chase Perez from the game. Kullman and walked Southhall after a full count to load the bases. Waldren fouled out to Murphy for the second out of the frame. Moberg sent a single through the left side to score and earn the win for the Volunteers.
// 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).