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CINCINNATI – A bases-clearing double in the top of the seventh by Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) broke open a 1-1 game and propelled the University of Cincinnati baseball team to a 7-1 road win at Ohio State, Tuesday at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium.
Cincinnati (16-16) started off a four-game road swing on the right foot and snapped a three-game losing skid against the Buckeyes (14-18) and picked up their first win in Columbus since 2012.
UC knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the sixth after a leadoff triple down the left-field line by R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) followed by a RBI groundout from A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern) which scored Thompson.
UC added three in the seventh after Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) was hit by a pitch, Joey Thomas (Mason, Ohio/Mason) singled through the right side and Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) laid down a sacrifice bunt to load them up, which set the table for Haberkorn's double to the wall in right center.
Haberkorn has rung up seven hits, three doubles and six runs batted in over the past five games. He tapped a line-drive home run over the fence at Miami (Ohio) a week ago to plate the go-ahead run in an 8-6 win over the RedHawks.
UC starter A.J. Olasz (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin Area) gave up a two-out home run to Brady Cherry in the bottom of the first and held the Buckeyes at bay from there, retiring seven of the last nine batters he faced, before giving way to Jarod Yoakam (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) in the bottom of the fifth inning. Yoakam picked up the win, throwing three innings of one-hit ball, walking two and striking out one. He is 2-0 on the season. Nathan Kroger (Loveland, Ohio/Milford) gave up a hit in an inning of work and A.J. Kullman (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to close out the win.
Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) and Thomas led the way with a pair of hits apiece. McVey started the three-run eighth inning with a single to right center, a stolen base and a wild pitch, which advanced him to third. He scored on a double by Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) down the right-field line. Noda advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Eric Santiago (Bethlehem, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond) and scored on a single up the middle by Mercer. After a Thomas single put runners on the corners with two outs, Rodriguez plated UC's final run with a sacrifice fly to center, which scored Mercer.
// NOTABLE
· The Bearcats are 6-2 in midweek games this season with wins over Kentucky, Indiana, then No. 1 Louisville, Miami (Ohio) twice and Ohio State.
· UC has totaled eight or more hits in nine-straight games.
· Bumpass had a double and RBI and has reached base in 28 straight games.
· Mercer has seven hits and five runs batted in over UC's last five games.
· Rodriguez had a sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, RBI and a run scored.
// UP NEXT
UC continues a four-game road trip this weekend at American Athletic Conference foe USF. The No. 25 Bulls (28-5, 4-2 American) are 25-2 at USF Baseball Stadium this season. The teams will match up at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday night and close out the three-game set with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.
// HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live audio coverage of UC's weekend series at USF will be available through the BearcatsTV platform on GoBEARCATS.com. Matt Noonan (play-by-play) will call the action.
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati baseball, please visitGoBEARCATS.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, visitGoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.