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CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati baseball team could not overcome a pair of big innings and fell to UCF 16-2 in an American Athletic Conference series opener on Friday at Marge Schott Stadium.
Cincinnati (26-24, 8-11 American) saw its four-game winning streak end after taking an early 2-0 lead in the first inning.
UCF (35-15, 12-7 American) won its third-straight game after adding four runs in the sixth and eight runs in the eighth to put things out of reach.
The Bearcats offense scored early as Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek) hit the first home run of his career over the fence in right-center field, scoring A.J. Bumpass (Rougemont, N.C./Northern) in UC's first at-bats of the game.
Starter Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) took the mound at Marge Schott Stadium for the final time in his career and pitched five strong innings of shutout ball before a four-run sixth gave the Knights a lead and chased the senior from the game. He took the loss and fell to 3-5 on the year.
UCF starter Robby Howell recovered from the two-run first inning and pitched 7.0 innings to move his record to 9-0 on the campaign. After surrendering two runs on two hits in the first, Howell gave up only a pair of hits the rest of the way.
// NOTABLE
· R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) hit the ball hard all night, just right at opposing fielders. He finished with a hit and a walk.
· Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) had a hit and a walk and Bumpass had UC's other hit, a double.
· Eric Santiago (Bethlehem, Pa./Notre Dame Green Pond) started the game in left field, but moved to catcher in the top of the ninth, the first time he had played the position in his baseball career. The freshman has seen time at seven positions this year, catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left and designated hitter.
· Before Sunday's final home game of the season, seniors Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason), R.J. Thompson and Zellner will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
// INNINGS OF NOTE
Bottom of the First
Bumpass hit a one-out double down the left-field line. Mercer hit his first career home run over the fence in right field and UC had an early 2-0 lead. Santiago walked, but Luke Turino (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute) flew out to to end the inning.
Top of the Sixth
UCF got to Zellner for four runs in the sixth, opening a 4-2 lead. Anthony George hit a one-out solo home run to left field. Luke Hamblin walked, Eli Putnam was hit by a pitch and Brennan Bozeman walked to load the bases. Kyle Marsh tripled off the bottom of the wall in right-center field to clear the bases. Marsh was out at home a wild pitch off the backstop bounced right back to Joey Thomas (Mason, Ohio/Mason) who dove and blocked a sliding Marsh from scoring. Zellner got a fly out to end the inning.
Top of the Eighth
UCF struck for eight runs in the eighth and opened up a 12-2 lead.
Top of the Ninth
The Knights added four more in their last at-bat, courtesy of a pair of home runs and a run-scoring single with the bases loaded.
// UP NEXT
The three-game series against the Knights continues on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and Sunday at noon. Before Sunday's final home game of the season, seniors Connor McVey, R.J. Thompson and Andrew Zellner will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
// WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Saturday is the final Signature Saturday event where the entire team will be signing autographs postgame and fans can collect any missing trading cards. In honor of Mother's Day on Sunday all mothers can attend free of charge. Family Four Packs are still available for the rest of the family and includes four tickets, four hot and four sodas for just $20. Upon entry to the game Sunday, all attendees will receive a mini Bearcats helmet courtesy of John Morrell. Following the conclusion of the game, fans ages 12 and under are welcome to run the bases.
// HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live video and audio coverage of all three games in the UCF series is 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.