Tickets
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati baseball team lost a 3-1 pitcher's duel to UCF, Saturday in American Athletic Conference action at Marge Schott Stadium.
Three of the game's four runs came in the first two innings.
UCF (36-15, 13-7 American) got a two-RBI single from Matthew Mika in the first on the heels of a leadoff single by Kyle Marsh, a walk by Rylan Thomas and a sacrifice bunt from Kam Gellinger. The Knights led 2-1 and added an insurance run in the seventh on a solo home run off the right-field scoreboard by Thomas.
Cincinnati (26-25, 8-12 American) manufactured a run in the first inning after a Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) groundout scored R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason) for the early 1-0 lead. Thompson led off the game with a double down the left-field line.
UCF starter Chris Williams got the better of the Bearcats offense, giving up a run in the first, but sitting down the next 13 batters he faced before hitting Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) to open the bottom of the sixth. Noda was later thrown out trying to steal third.
The Knights bullpen bent but did not break in the seventh as UC had runners on the corners with one out but could not push anything across. Jason Bahr worked two innings, giving up a hit and striking out four and Bryce Tucker earned his ninth save of the year with a three-up, three-down ninth inning.
UC starter A.J. Kullman (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) nearly went the distance, throwing a solid 8.2 innings, the longest outing of his career. After running into some trouble in the second, Kullman retired 11 UCF batter in a row. He took the loss and fell to 5-6 on the season. David Orndorff (Pasadena, Calif./Pasadena Polytechnic) induced an inning-ending ground out in the ninth in relief.
// NOTABLE
· Manny Rodriguez (Brooklyn, N.Y./Calvert Hall) returned to the lineup after missing eight games due to injury. He had a hit, walk and a number of defensive gems in his return before being lifted for a pinch runner in the seventh.
· Kullman's 8.2-inning outing was the longest for a UC pitcher in 2017. Kullman's previous career long was a 6.1 inning relief appearance against Houston on May 15, 2016.
· Noda has been hit by 10 pitches this season, tied for the most in the American Athletic Conference.
// UP NEXT
The three-game series against the Knights concludes Sunday at noon. Before Sunday's final home game of the season, seniors McVey, Thompson and Andrew Zellner (Farmersville, Ohio/Valley View) will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
// WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
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.