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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Cincinnati baseball team evened its series with Memphis Saturday, winning 13-6 in American Athletic Conference action at FedEx Park.
Cincinnati (23-23, 7-10 American) scored three in the first inning and took advantage of hitting from R.J. Thompson (Mason, Ohio/Mason), Connor McVey (Mason, Ohio/Mason) and Joey Thomas (Mason, Ohio/Mason).
Zellner got the win, going 6.0 innings and giving up one run on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks. The one run scored on him came via a home run in the bottom of the sixth. He moved to 3-4 on the season.
Thompson went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored and a walk. McVey also had three hits, scoring twice and driving in two runs. Thomas was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
UC tied its season high with 13 runs and was one off its season best of 15 hits. UC 13 against Northern Kentucky on March 25 and had 15 hits against Tulane on April 7.
Memphis starter Alex Hicks (4-5) took the loss after loading the bases in the first, hitting three batters and not recording an out. He was one of seven Tigers hurlers to see action Saturday.
// NOTABLE
· Santiago started in left, the fifth different place he has started this season. Previously, the freshman played games at first, second, short and designated hitter. He finished 1-for-2 with two runs batted in, a walk, sacrifice and hit by pitch.
· Ryan Noda (Volo, Ill./Grant) had one hit on the day, his UC-leading seventh home run of the season.
· Kyle Mottice (Canal Fulton, Ohio/Jackson) was 2-for-5 with two runs scored.
· Five UC players, McVey, Jace Mercer (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek), Santiago, and Noda drove in two runs apiece.
· It was Zellner's longest outing in his past five starts and sixth this season of 6.0 innings or more.
· Clayton Colvin (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) relieved Zellner and went 1.2 innings, giving up five runs on three hits. Tristan Hammans (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial) pitched the final 1.1 innings and gave up a hit.
// INNINGS OF NOTE
Top of the First
UC loaded the bases and put its first three runners aboard as Thompson led off with a single up the middle, Bumpass was hit by a pitch and McVey hit a perfect bunt single between the pitcher's mound and third base. Mercer was a hit by a pitch to score Thompson. Santiago was hit by a pitch and Bumpass scored. Hicks was pulled for Alexander after hitting three and not recording an out. Turino struck out looking. Thomas reached on a fielder's choice with McVey out at the plate but Alexander's throw trying to turn a double play hit Thomas in the back scoring Mercer on the error and moving Santiago to third. Noda struck out to end the inning and UC led 3-0 after the first.
Top of the Third
Cincinnati added four runs and led 7-0 with timely hitting and some aggressive base running. McVey led off with a single to left field. Mercer hit an RBI double to right-center field to score McVey from first. Santiago's sacrifice advanced Mercer to third with one out. Turino hit a chopper through the hole on the right side to score Mercer from third. Thomas doubled down the left-field line, but Turino was thrown out trying to score from first. Noda hit his team-leading seventh home run of the season over the wall in right-center field to plate two more runs. Mottice grounded out to end the inning.
Top of the Sixth
UC added four more runs to make the margin 11-0 after 5.5 innings. The Bearcats again loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth. Mottice singled to left, Thompson doubled to right center and Bumpass walked to load them up. McVey hit a single to left to score Mottice. Morren was lifted for Tyler Walton. Mercer popped up to left field. Santiago walked to score Thompson. Turino reached on a fielder's choice and Bumpass was thrown out at the plate. Thomas singled up the middle to score McVey and Santiago, but Turino was thrown out trying to go from first to third to end the inning.
Bottom of the Sixth
Memphis got on the board with a leadoff, solo home run over the left-field fence by Alex Trela.
Top of the Seventh
UC continued to add runs, scoring two to make the lead 13-1. Mottice hit a one-out single to right. Thompson walked and Bumpass reached on an error that scored Mottice and moved Thompson to third. McVey reached on a fielder's choice which scored Mottice, but Bumpass was out at second on the play. Mercer reached on an error, but McVer was thrown out trying to score.
Bottom of the Seventh
Memphis got a run off Colvin and made the margin 13-2. Pinch hitter Sam Nozicka led off with a walk, Nick struck out on a 3-2 count and Tyler Webb was hit by a pitch. Brandon Grudzielanek singled to left field and scored Nozicka ahead of a pair of groundouts to end the inning.
Bottom of the Eighth
Memphis loaded the bases on the first three batters and added four runs to its tally to make things 13-6. Trent Turner led off with a single, Zach Schritenthal and Andy Bowman walked and Sam Nozicka was hit by a pitch to score Turner. Webb was hit by a pitch with one out to score Schritenthal. Grudzielanek's sacrifice fly scored Bowman. Chris Carrier singled to third and scored Nozicka which chased Colvin from the game for Hammans who induced a Trela foul out to McVey to end the inning.
// UP NEXT
The rubber match and series finale between UC and Memphis is set for 2 p.m. ET Sunday at FedEx Park.
// HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live audio coverage of the Memphis 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.