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STORRS, CONN. - The University of Cincinnati had a five-run ninth inning to earn a 5-4 comeback road win against UConn at J.O. Christian Field in American Athletic Conference action Friday in Storrs, Connecticut.
Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) scored from third on a passed ball to put Cincinnati up 5-4 and close out an improbable comeback. UConn argued that Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) had fouled the ball off, but McVey's score was upheld. McVey reached on a single and stole two bases after a grand-slam home run from A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern) knotted things up at four runs apiece with no outs in the ninth.
UC (21-20, 6-7 American) trailed 4-0 heading into the ninth inning, hitting the ball well all day, but struggling to convert runs against a tough UConn (22-18, 7-6 American) pitching staff. Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) hit a leadoff single to right field, Treg Haberkorn (Leo, Ind./Leo) singled up the middle and R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) walked to load them up for Bumpass who hit a 1-2 pitch from Huskies closer John Russell over the fence in right field, the fourth round-tripper of the season for Bumpass.
David Orndorff (Pasadena, Calif./Pasadena Polytechnic) pitched the ninth, giving up a pair of two-out hits but striking out Anthony Prato to end the game and earn his sixth save of the season. Cal Jarrett (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) got his first career win after coming on to get the final out of the eighth inning in relief of starter J.T. Perez (Orrville, Ohio).
Perez was solid, retiring the first two batters he faced in six of seven innings. The left-hander ran into trouble in the first and third innings as the Huskies scored all four of their runs with two outs. He threw 7.2 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking one.
UC had a runner aboard in every inning, including loading the bases with no outs in the first, but struggled to find an answer for UConn starter Tim Cate. Cate went 8.0 innings in the no-decision, scattering eight hits, walking four and striking out 12. Dan Rajkowski came in to start the ninth and loaded the bases before giving way to Russell.
// NOTABLE
· UC is 3-1 in its last four conference road games.
· Perez has gone seven or more innings in each of his last two starts, three times in 2017 and eight times in his career.
· Thompson reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with a walk and run scored.
· Bumpass finished 2-for-4 with a walk, run scored and 4 RBIs.
· McVey had a hit, walk, run scored and two stolen bases
· Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) was 3-for-4 and Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
// INNINGS OF NOTE
Top of the First
UC loaded the bases in the first, putting the first three runners of the game on with two hits and a walk, but was unable to convert as Cate struck out two straight and induced an inning-ending groundout.
Bottom of the First
UConn got on the board first with a single run. Susi hit a two-out single on a 3-2 count and Feldstein doubled to right center to bring him home and give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
Bottom of the Third
UConn struck for three in the third to move to a 4-0 lead. Yahn hit a two-out single to left center and Susi singled through the right side. Feldstein sent pitch over the fence in left field to add three runs to UConn's tally. Perez struck out Toppa to end the frame.
Top of the Ninth
UC plated five after a grand slam and some heads up base running, taking a 5-4 lead. Rodriguez led off with a single and took third on a single by Haberkorn. Thompson walked and Bumpass hit a grand-slam home run over the glove of UConn right fielder Issac Feldstein to clear the bases. McVey singled through the left side and appeared to pull something going to first. After a brief consultation, he stayed in the game, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball. UConn argued Mercer had fouled the pitch off, Huskies head coach Jim Penders was ejected and the call stood. Mercer reached on a bunt single to third but was picked off at first base to end the inning.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats return to the diamond on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET in Storrs, Connecticut to continue the three-game set against the Huskies. Sunday's series finale will start at noon.
// HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live audio coverage of the weekend series at UConn will be available 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
Single-game tickets are just $5 for adults, $3 for youth and seniors, and $1 for groups of 20 or more. For tickets, call 1-877-CATS-TIX or visit GoBEARCATS.com/tickets.