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TAMPA, Florida – Joey Thomas (Mason, Ohio/Mason) hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning which scored Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) and gave the University of Cincinnati baseball team a 3-2 win over USF in American Athletic Conference action, Friday at USF Baseball Stadium.
Noda was hit by a pitch to start the inning and advanced to second on a bunt single by Eric Santiago (Bethlehem, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond). Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Georgia/Johns Creek) setting up Thomas' sac fly on a 0-2 count.
A.J. Kullman (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) got the last three outs and the Bearcats (18-16, 4-4 American) earned the series win over USF (28-7, 4-4 American) for the second-straight year. Kullman grabbed the win, going 4.1 innings in relief of starter J.T. Perez. Kullman struck out three and scattered a pair of hits on the way to picking up his fifth victory of the season. Perez threw 5.2 innings giving up two runs on four hits, striking out one and walking three in a no-decision.
Santiago went 3-for-5 with a double and RBI. Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) was 2-for-3 with a double. Thomas finished 1-for-3 with the game-winning RBI and Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) had a double.
UC jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a double to left field by A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern). Noda reached on a fielder's choice but Bumpass was thrown out trying to score. UC plated its second run after a double by Rodriguez scored Noda.
USF jumped back into the fray with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to knot things up at two apiece. The Bulls left the bases loaded in the second and from there it was zeroes across the board until the 10th. UC stranded 10 runners and USF left eight. The Bearcats left them loaded in the third and sixth and stranded two in the eighth.
Andrew Perez took the loss after two innings of pitching. His record dropped to 3-2. Shane McClanahan started and gave up two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out eight and walked four in the no-decision. Ryan Valdes pitched 2.2 innings of three-hit relief with three strikeouts.
// NOTABLE
· The UC-USF series runs Thursday-Saturday due to Easter this coming Sunday.
· UC has won four-straight games overall and against USF.
· Bumpass had double, walk and RBI and has reached base in 30 straight games.
· Kullman's five wins are the most on the team.
// KEY INNINGS
Top of the First
Thompson drew a leadoff walk on a 3-1 count. Bumpass doubled to left field and scored Thompson. Bumpass advanced to third on a passed ball. McVey struck out swinging and Noda reached on a fielder's choice that saw Bumpass thrown out at home. Santiago doubled to score Noda and UC lead 2-0.
Bottom of the Second
USF tied it up at 2-2. Genord led off with a single through the left side, Villar singled up the middle and Leal walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs. Montgomery struck out swinging and Chatfield grounded out to third, but Genord scored. Zech was hit by a pitch and Merrell singled to first and scored Villar.
Top of the 10th
Noda was hit by the first pitch of the inning. Santiago hit a bunt single to third and Noda went to second. Mercer laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up a base. Thomas hit a sacrifice fly to center field on a 0-2 count to score Noda. Santiago was out at second for leaving the base too early, but the run counted.
// UP NEXT
UC concludes a four-game road and a three-game set with USF on Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. UC returns home this week to play host to the ninth edition of the Joe Nuxhall Classic on April 18-19 at Marge Schott Stadium. UC will open play with Xavier on Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. ET before playing either Miami or Wright State on Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. Miami and Wright State will lead off the Classic at 3 p.m. on April 18 and Xavier will play either Miami or Wright State at 3 p.m. on April 19.
// 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 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, visitGoBEARCATS.com/tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX.