TicketsFORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Cincinnati Bearcats took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed on the way to a 9-6 victory against the FGCU Eagles on Friday.
Senior pitcher Tristan Weaver (1-0) started on the mound and picked up the win for Cincinnati (1-0) in his UC debut. The left-hander went five innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing three walks and striking out four. Senior pitcher Ryan Steckline also made an impact on the mound for the Bearcats, throwing 2.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit, with no walks and three strikeouts.
In the batter's box, the Bearcats were paced by redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a triple, a home run and two RBIs. Redshirt sophomore catcher Joe Powell compiled a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson also chipped in for Cincinnati, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
Hear from @CoachGoogs following the Bearcats' 9-6 victory at FGCU on Friday night.#Bearcats | #NatiBoyz pic.twitter.com/fhaRKQnaJi
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) February 19, 2022
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Cincinnati got an RBI single from Nicholson, scoring sophomore outfielder Cole Harting from third base.
The Eagles failed to push any runs across before the Bearcats built on their lead in the fourth inning. Cincinnati scored twice on Powell's two-run homer, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Bearcats.
Cincinnati held FGCU scoreless before building its lead to 7-0 the following inning. The Bearcats bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Merritt.
The Eagles made it 7-1, but Cincinnati added some insurance in the sixth. The Bearcats scored once on an RBI single off the bat of redshirt junior outfielder Paul Komistek, bringing the score to 8-1 in favor of Cincinnati.
The Bearcats held FGCU off the scoreboard before expanding their lead to 9-1 the following inning. Sophomore outfielder Josh Hegemann came across to score the lone run of the inning for Cincinnati after coming in as a pinch-runner following Merritt's triple. FGCU put five runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Bearcats still held on for the 9-6 win.
GAME NOTES
» Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Four Bearcats had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Bearcats out-hit the Eagles at a 13-4 clip.
» Cincinnati pitchers limited FGCU to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Harting began the game with a walk, extending his on-base streak to 13 games.
» Merrit led the Bearcats at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run and two RBIs.
» Steckline made his UC debut, throwing 2.2 innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit and striking out three.
» Redshirt freshman infielder Kerrington Cross started at second base, marking his collegiate debut. He went 1-4 with a walk and a run scored.
» Harting, Powell and redshirt sophomore outfielder JP Sponseller all started in today's game. Those three, along with redshirt sophomore pitcher Evan Kemp, all went to Mason High School in Mason, Ohio, and were teammates on the 2017-18 team.
» Sponseller, who is a transfer from Elon, had a nice debut. He reached base three times, had a hit, two walks and a run scored.
» Redshirt sophomore infielder Max Palmieri, who transferred to UC this year, made his debut for the Bearcats.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2022 season are now on sale! The Bearcats open up their home slate on Friday, March 4th as they host Northwestern at UC Baseball Stadium. To purchase season tickets, visit cpaw.me/SeasonTickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849).
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