TicketsWICHITA, Kan. -- Graduate pitcher Tristan Weaver, redshirt sophomore pitcher Zach Segal and sophomore pitcher Max Bergmann combined to throw a shutout on Saturday as the Cincinnati Bearcats blanked the Wichita State Shockers, 4-0, to complete the three-game sweep.
Weaver (4-3) started and picked up the win for Cincinnati (16-18, 6-3), going five shutout innings while giving up two hits, walking three, and striking out one. Segal was dealing out of the bullpen as well, going three shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking three and striking out one.
Redshirt junior outfielder Paul Komistek led the way offensively for the Bearcats, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Redshirt freshman infielder Kerrington Cross put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-5 with two doubles. Redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt also chipped in, going 2-for-5 for Cincinnati with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats scored first in the fourth inning thanks to an RBI single from redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson and another base-knock from redshirt senior infielder Wyatt Stapp to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead.
Nothing much happened between then and the eighth inning, as the pitchers dominated the day. The pitchers for both sides controlled the game on most occasions, rarely giving up a hit.
By the eighth inning, the Bearcats finally found a way to extend their lead. Merritt knocked in a run on a single before Komistek hit a solo homer in the ninth inning on the way to the 4-0 victory.
GAME NOTES
- The win marks the second sweep of Wichita State in the two team's 13-game history, with the other coming from April 26-28, 2019. UC's all-time record against the Shockers is now 11-2.
- It also marks the first time the Bearcats have swept a conference opponent on the road since they took three in a row from Georgetown on April 1-3, 2011.
- Weaver earned his team-leading fourth win after throwing five shutout innings and giving up just two hits.
- Merritt drove in a run with an RBI single in the eighth, giving him 38 RBIs on the season and 13 in his last six games.
- Komistek sent his sixth homer of the year over the right field fence in the ninth inning for his 21st RBI of the year. His batting average is up to .370 after his 2-for-3 day, which is tied for the team lead.
- Segal came out of the bullpen and pitched three scoreless innings after relieving Weaver.
- Redshirt senior Wyatt Stapp drove in his fifth run in his past four games with a line drive into right center to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead.
- Cincinnati pitchers gave up just two hits today, which is the fewest the staff has given up all year. It's also the first game that the Bearcats haven't given up an extra-base hit, as both hits today were singles.
- Cross and redshirt sophomore catcher Joe Powell both extended their respective on-base streaks to 21 games.
- This was the first shutout by the Bearcats since May 7, 2021 in a 7-0 win against Houston.
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