TicketsBOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Cincinnati baseball suffered its third-straight, walk-off loss, dropping the opening game of a Saturday doubleheader to Western Kentucky, 5-4, at Nick Denes Field.
Cincinnati (0-5) gave up the go-ahead run on a one-out, sacrifice fly by Davis Sims which scored pinch runner Ty Crittenberger as the Hilltoppers (3-3) dealt the Bearcats a heartbreaker for the second-straight game.
Drake Batcho (0-1) took the loss for the Bearcats while WKU's Mason Vineyard (1-0) picked up the win.
UC had hopped out to an early 3-0 lead in the fourth and once again rode a strong opening stint from one of its starters. LHP Dean McCarthy was nearly flawless in the first 6.2 innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. WKU scored four runs with two outs in the seventh, including a three-run home run by Ray Zuberer III. McCarthy ended up with a no decision, going 6.2 innings giving up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
The Bearcats battled back to knot things up in the eighth with Eric Santiago hitting his second double of the game and later scoring on a sac fly by Joey Bellini.
SCORING INNINGS
TOP OF THE 4TH
UC struck first in the top of the fourth inning. Santiago led off with a double to left center after the Bearcats were sat down in order through the first three innings. Bellini singled through the right side and Wyatt Stapp doubled down the right-field line to score Santiago and Ryan Nicholson hit an RBI groundout to short, scoring Bellini. Jake Murray reached on an error and Stapp scored.
BOTTOM OF THE 7TH
Gray led off with a single and was later out on a fielder's choice which put Riffe on first. Wilson was hit by a pitch with two outs and Constantine singled through the hole to score Riffe from second. Zuberer cranked a homer down the right-field line on a 1-2 count, putting WKU up 4-3 and chasing McCarthy from the game. Batcho relieved and struck out Swiney to end the inning.
TOP OF THE 8TH
Santiago hit a one-out double to right center and WKU made a pitching change, swapping Crosby for Vineyard. Santiago advanced to third and scored on a sac fly by Bellini to knot things up at 4-4. Stapp drew a two-out walk but a ground out ended the UC threat.
BOTTOM OF THE 9TH
Wilson drew a leadoff walk on four pitches and took second on a wild pitch. Batcho was pulled for Max Bergmann and Constantine flied out to center but advanced Crittenberge, who pinch ran for Wilson, to third. Zuberer was intentionally walked to put runners on the corners but Crittenberge scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice to left field by Sims.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats and Hilltoppers will close out the series with a nightcap 40 minutes after game one ends. An audio stream and live stats are available.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati baseball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow UC baseball (@GoBearcatsBase) and Coach Googins (@CoachGoogs) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.
Cincinnati (0-5) gave up the go-ahead run on a one-out, sacrifice fly by Davis Sims which scored pinch runner Ty Crittenberger as the Hilltoppers (3-3) dealt the Bearcats a heartbreaker for the second-straight game.
Drake Batcho (0-1) took the loss for the Bearcats while WKU's Mason Vineyard (1-0) picked up the win.
UC had hopped out to an early 3-0 lead in the fourth and once again rode a strong opening stint from one of its starters. LHP Dean McCarthy was nearly flawless in the first 6.2 innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. WKU scored four runs with two outs in the seventh, including a three-run home run by Ray Zuberer III. McCarthy ended up with a no decision, going 6.2 innings giving up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
The Bearcats battled back to knot things up in the eighth with Eric Santiago hitting his second double of the game and later scoring on a sac fly by Joey Bellini.
SCORING INNINGS
TOP OF THE 4TH
UC struck first in the top of the fourth inning. Santiago led off with a double to left center after the Bearcats were sat down in order through the first three innings. Bellini singled through the right side and Wyatt Stapp doubled down the right-field line to score Santiago and Ryan Nicholson hit an RBI groundout to short, scoring Bellini. Jake Murray reached on an error and Stapp scored.
BOTTOM OF THE 7TH
Gray led off with a single and was later out on a fielder's choice which put Riffe on first. Wilson was hit by a pitch with two outs and Constantine singled through the hole to score Riffe from second. Zuberer cranked a homer down the right-field line on a 1-2 count, putting WKU up 4-3 and chasing McCarthy from the game. Batcho relieved and struck out Swiney to end the inning.
TOP OF THE 8TH
Santiago hit a one-out double to right center and WKU made a pitching change, swapping Crosby for Vineyard. Santiago advanced to third and scored on a sac fly by Bellini to knot things up at 4-4. Stapp drew a two-out walk but a ground out ended the UC threat.
BOTTOM OF THE 9TH
Wilson drew a leadoff walk on four pitches and took second on a wild pitch. Batcho was pulled for Max Bergmann and Constantine flied out to center but advanced Crittenberge, who pinch ran for Wilson, to third. Zuberer was intentionally walked to put runners on the corners but Crittenberge scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice to left field by Sims.
UP NEXT
The Bearcats and Hilltoppers will close out the series with a nightcap 40 minutes after game one ends. An audio stream and live stats are available.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati baseball, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow UC baseball (@GoBearcatsBase) and Coach Googins (@CoachGoogs) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook.