TicketsCINCINNATI -- Cincinnati got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, but the Bearcats fell to the Xavier Musketeers, 8-7, Sunday.
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Alex Shea (0-3) took the loss on the mound for Cincinnati (9-12). Redshirt junior Jackson Murphy was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out one.
Redshirt junior Paul Komistek led the way offensively for the Bearcats, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a triple, a walk and two RBIs. Freshman catcher Boston Smith put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Sophomore outfielder Cole Harting also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Cincinnati with a triple and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Komistek came across to score the lone run of the inning for Cincinnati and got them on the board.
After the Musketeers rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Bearcats came back to retake the lead in the second inning. The Cincinnati offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt and a two-run single from Komistek, which brought the score to 5-1 in favor of the Bearcats.
Xavier clawed back to tie the ballgame at five before Cincinnati reclaimed a 6-5 advantage in the third inning.
The Musketeers then tied the game at six before Cincinnati fought back to retake their advantage in the fourth inning. The Bearcats drove home a run on Smith's leadoff home run off sophomore Miles Halligan, bringing the score to 7-6 in favor of Cincinnati. The Bearcats were unable to hold the lead, as Xavier scored two times in the sixth inning to grab the 8-7 win.
GAME NOTES
» Komistek hit his first triple of the season in the first inning. He put the Bearcats up 1-0 after scoring on a sacrifice fly by redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson. In his second appearance at the plate, he drove in two runs on a single to center with the bases loaded.
» Merritt drove in his team-leading 23rd and 24th RBIs of the season in the second inning with a single to center field.
» Harting is hitting .600 (12-20) in his last five games, including a 2-for-4 outing today. He's now riding an eight-game hitting streak.
» Smith launched his first career home run in the fourth inning to give the Bearcats a 7-6 lead.
» With his first strikeout of the game, senior pitcher Beau Keathley recorded his 200th career strikeout (74 at UC, 126 at Oakland).
» Every Bearcats starter reached base safely in the game.
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