TicketsGAME 1 | Cincinnati 15, FGCU 14
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The university of Cincinnati baseball team needed 11 innings to get the job done, but it secured the 15-14 extra-innings victory over the FGCU Eagles Saturday.
Redshirt junior pitcher Jackson Murphy (1-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Cincinnati (2-0). The right-hander went 1.1 shutout innings while giving up two hits, allowing no walks and striking out two. Sophomore pitcher Max Bergmann also made an impact on the mound for the Bearcats, throwing four innings, giving up two runs, all earned, on five hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts.
Offensively, the Bearcats were paced by redshirt junior outfielder Paul Komistek, who went 5-for-6 on the day with a double, a home run, a walk and three RBIs. Redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 3-for-6 with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. Redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt also helped out for Cincinnati, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a home run and two RBIs.
GAME NOTES
» Freshman pitcher Garrett Harker and freshman catcher Boston Smith each made their collegiate debuts today. This marks the first time that a UC pitcher and catcher made their first career starts on the same day since left-hander Dalton Lehnen and catcher Joey Thomas did it on Feb. 13, 2015.
» Merritt hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth, making that two homers in as many days to begin the season.
» With a four-pitch walk in the first inning, sophomore outfielder Cole Harting extended his on-base streak to 14 games.
» Every Cincinnati starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Cincinnati pitching staff combined to strike out 15 FGCU hitters.
» Komistek went deep in the seventh inning and finished the day 5-6 with three RBI. It's the most hits a Bearcat has had since Harting had six against Xavier on March 20, 2021.
» Seven Bearcats had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Redshirt sophomore Zach Segal earned the save, his first of the season.
» Cincinnati hit 7-for-23 (.304) with runners in scoring position.
» Redshirt sophomore infielder Kameron Guidry and redshirt sophomore pitcher Chase Hopewell each made their UC debuts.
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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