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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati baseball team dropped a 3-2 game to Northern Kentucky in the first matchup of a Saturday doubleheader at Marge Schott Stadium.
The Bearcats (11-11) fell behind 2-0 early and an eighth-inning rally came up short. The Norse (8-12) plated two runs in the first and added an insurance run in the top of the fourth.
Pat Kelley pitched seven innings of one-run ball and got the win, moving evening his record at 1-1 while Cameron Ross picked up his third save of the year. J.T. Perez (Orrville, Ohio/Orrville) took the loss, falling to 1-4 on the season.
Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI, his fifth multi-hit game of the 2017 season. R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) was 1-for-4 with
The second game of Saturday's twin bill was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET. An audio-only stream will be available at GoBEARCATS.com for Saturday's second game.
Top of the First
NKU got on the board first with two runs in the first. Jake Richmond led off with a walk and advanced following a single to center field by . Alas doubled to left center and Richmond scored and moved to third. Mercurio grounded out to first and scored to make it 2-0 in favor of the Norse.
Bottom of the First
UC got one back in the bottom of the first. Bumpass hit a one-out single to right and later stole second. McVey singled through the right side to plate Bumpass. McVey was caught stealing and Thompson struck out to close the frame.
Top of the Fourth
Alas led off with a double down the left field line. Colletta hit a two-out single to score Alas.
Bottom of the Eighth
UC made the score 3-2 after adding a run to their tally in the bottom of the eighth. Mercer led off and reached on an error. Bumpass reached on a fielder's choice, beating the throw to break up a potential double play that saw Mercer forced out at second. McVey hit a ground-rule double into field which forced a streaking Bumpass back to third. Rosenberg was lifted for Ross and Thompson grounded out to second, advancing McVey to third and scoring Bumpass. Noda flew out to end the inning.
// UP NEXT
Following the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, UC will head on the road Tuesday, traveling to Kentucky for a 6:30 p.m. ET matchup with the Wildcats. The Bearcats knocked off UK, 2-1, in 10 innings on Wednesday, March 8, at Marge Schott Stadium. Live audio will be available at GoBEARCATS.com.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all 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.