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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati baseball team did a little bit of everything Friday night, earning a 9-1 win over Northern Kentucky in the opener of a three-game set with the Norse.
UC (11-10) moved its record to 7-1 at home this season and scored nine runs on nine hits while getting some strong pitching and a pair of double plays from its defense. NKU fell to 7-12 on the season.
Joey Thomas (Mason, Ohio/Mason) was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) was 2-for-3 with a home run and RBI, A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern) was 2-of-5 with four RBI and a bases-clearing triple in the bottom of the second inning. Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) scored twice, had two RBIs, a pair of stolen bases and a number of defensive gems in the field.
Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) got the win, moving his record to 2-1. He went four innings, giving up one run on three hits while striking out three and walking one. Jarod Yoakam (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) and Doug Lowe II (Marysville, Ohio/Triad) combined for two innings of scoreless relief while Reese Robinson (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville) scattered to hits over the final three innings, earning a save. Trey Ganns (2-3) took the loss for NKU.
// KEY INNINGS
Top of the First
NKU took an early 1-0 lead, taking advantage of former Bearcat Jake Richmond's leadoff double. Ricmond scored when Will Haueter hit a double of his own down the left field line. Zellner induced a ground out and fly out to end the threat.
Bottom of the First
UC got one back in the bottom of the frame after a two-out error by the second baseman allowed R.J. Thompson to reach and enabled a hustling Connor McVey to cross the plate and knot things up at one run apiece.
Bottom of the Second
Ryan Noda led off a four-run inning with one of the longest home runs at Marge Schott Stadium in recent memory. The Bearcats first baseman tattooed a 3-1 pitch to the deepest park of the ballpark, hitting it just to the right of the batters eye and over the B in the Bearcats outfield sign to plate the go-ahead run. Thomas followed with a single and advanced to second when Haberkorn was hit by a pitch. Rodriguez popped up a bunt to the pitcher for the first out and Mottice walked to load the bases. Bumpass tripled into the left-field corner to clear the bases and was thrown out later trying to score on a fielder's choice. Thompson lined out to center field to close the inning.
Bottom of the Fourth
UC added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth on the strength of Manny Rodriguez's base running. Rodriguez led off with a walk, stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch.
Bottom of the Fifth
The Bearcats added two more in the bottom of the fifth. Santiago grounded out and Noda walked. A single by Thomas moved the runner up. Thomas and Noda advanced again on a wild pitch. Haberkorn popped up and Rodriguez doubled to right field to score Noda and Thomas. Ganns induced a popout from Mottice to end the inning.
Bottom of the Eighth
UC would add one more run in the bottom of the eight, again on the strength of Rodriguez's base running. Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk and took second on a failed pickoff attempt. After a Mottice groundout, Bumpass doubled down the right-field line to score Rodriguez to end the scoring for UC.
// UP NEXT
UC and NKU will play a twinbill on Saturday due to some inclement weather forecasted for Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon ET at Marge Schott Stadium with the second game following 45 minutes after the first. Visit GoBEARCATS.com/tickets or visit the Marge Schott Stadium box office starting at 10 a.m. ET Saturday to reserve your spot in the ballpark.
// 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 matches can be purchased for as little $15. For more information, visit GoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.