Bearcats’ Comeback Falls Short in Series Opener Against Xavier

CINCINNATI -- The Bearcats dropped game one of the weekend series with Xavier by a final score of 8-7 on Friday night at UC Baseball Stadium. 

Graduate pitcher Tristan Weaver (2-3) took the loss for Cincinnati (9-11) as he gave up five earned runs in his sixth start of the season. Sophomore pitcher Max Bergmann had a strong performance out of the bullpen, scattering just three hits over four scoreless innings of relief work.

Redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt led the way at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and home run; his ninth of the season. Sophomore outfielder Cole Harting also had a multi-hit performance, including a double and two runs scored. Redshirt sophomore catcher Joe Powell hit a two-run home run during the ninth-inning rally, his third of the year, but it wasn't enough as the Bearcats fell to the Musketeers.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Merritt got the scoring going with his AAC-leading ninth home run of the year in the bottom of the first. Weaver held Xavier scoreless until the fourth inning, when the Musketeers put up three runs to take the lead. 

The lead didn't last long, as the Bearcats put up three of their own in the bottom half of the fourth. Harting drove in redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson on an infield single, and then came around to score with redshirt freshman Kerrington Cross after an error by Xavier's shortstop. 

Xavier scored two in the top of the fifth, then the game remained scoreless until the top of the ninth, when Xavier hit back-to-back home runs to take an 8-4 lead. Harting would score on a passed ball right before Powell hit his two-run homer, but the Bearcats' comeback ultimately fell short. 

GAME NOTES

• With four strikeouts today, Weaver surpassed 150 in his career. He now has 151 (28 at UC, 123 at Indiana State). 
• Merritt launched his ninth home run to deep left in the bottom of the first. That once again ties him for the most in the conference and makes him one homer short of tying his 2021 total of 10.
• Merritt went 2-for-4 with a home run and a double, increasing his absurd slugging percentage to .893 on the season. 
• Redshirt sophomore catcher Joe Powell brought the Bearcats within one run in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run blast to right field. The home run was his third of the season. He also drew two walks today, increasing his on-base percentage to a team-leading .463.
• Sophomore pitcher Max Bergmann had his best outing of the season, throwing four shutout innings in relief while only giving up three hits.
• Sophomore outfielder Cole Harting had himself another nice game, going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. His numbers at the plate have risen to a .308 average and a .878 OPS. He's on a seven-game hitting streak.

TICKET INFORMATION
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