TicketsCINCINNATI, Ohio -- The University of Cincinnati baseball team split Friday's doubleheader with Northwestern, winning the first game, 5-4, and dropping the second game, 10-8. The Bearcats are now 4-4 on the year while Northwestern moves to 2-8.
GAME 1 | Cincinnati 5, Northwestern 4
Redshirt junior Griffin Merritt and redshirt sophomore JP Sponseller each collected two extra base hits to help propel the Cincinnati Bearcats over the Northwestern Wildcats, 5-4, on Friday. Graduate student Tristan Weaver (2-1) threw a complete game and got the win for Cincinnati (4-3). The left-hander went seven innings, giving up four runs, all of them earned, on six hits, allowing two walks and striking out six.
Sponseller's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-3 day, and included a double, his first home run of the year and an RBI. Merritt made his contribution with two doubles and an RBI, part of a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Nicholson also helped out for the Bearcats, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding his fourth home run of the season, a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Redshirt senior Dondrae Bremner's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Cincinnati.
The Wildcats then rallied to score three runs and take a 3-2 lead before the Bearcats got back on the board in the fifth. Cincinnati scored three times in the frame, including home runs from both Sponseller and Nicholson, which brought the Bearcats lead to 5-3. Northwestern put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Cincinnati still held on for the 5-4 win.
GAME NOTES
» Weaver struck out six Wildcats hitters in the first complete game since Garrett Schoenle did it on May 7, 2021, at Houston.
» Nicholson hit his fourth homer of the year, tying teammate Griffin Merritt for the AAC lead.
» The Bearcats out-hit the Wildcats at an 8-6 clip.
» Sponseller hit his first homerun of the season and as a Bearcat.
GAME 2 | Northwestern 10, Cincinnati 8
Sophomore Max Bergmann (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Cincinnati (4-4). Redshirt sophomore Ben Vore was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going two shutout innings.
In the batter's box, the Bearcats were led by Nicholson again, who went 2-for-4 in this game with a double, a walk and three RBIs. Merritt had another nice day at the dish as well, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. Redshirt sophomore Cam Scheler also chipped in for Cincinnati, knocking his second homer of the season over the fence.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Cincinnati scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Nicholson.
The Wildcats then rallied to score eight runs and take an 8-3 lead before the Bearcats got back on the board in the eighth. The Cincinnati offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a two-RBI groundout off the bat of redshirt freshman Kerrington Cross, which evened the score at 8-8. Northwestern then scored two times over the remaining one inning to break the tie and grab the 10-8 win.
GAME NOTES
» Merritt had three more hits and two more doubles this game, improving his slugging percentage to .939.
» Every Bearcats starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Four Cincinnati hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Nicholson ended up with four RBIs in the two games, giving him nine on the season.
» Redshirt sophomore Zach Segal struck out a career-high seven batters in his five innings today.
» Scheler followed up his pinch-hit walk-off homer on Wednesday with another towering shot today in his first start of the season.
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).
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.