TicketsWICHITA, Kan. -- The University of Cincinnati baseball team rallied to secure a 7-5 victory in the 14th inning over the Wichita State Shockers Friday.
Freshman pitcher Garrett Harker (2-1) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Cincinnati (15-18, 5-3). The right-hander went six shutout innings while giving up one hit, allowing two walks and striking out four. Senior pitcher Beau Keathley also made an impact on the mound for the Bearcats, starting the ballgame and throwing six innings, giving up three runs, all earned, on four hits, with four walks and five strikeouts.
Redshirt senior infielder Jake Hansen led the way offensively for the Bearcats, going 3-for-6 in the ballgame with a walk and two RBI. Redshirt freshman infielder Kerrington Cross put together a noteworthy day at the plate on his birthday, going 3-for-6 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Redshirt sophomore infielder Max Palmieri also chipped in, going 1-for-6 for Cincinnati with a home run, a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bearcats got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Redshirt sophomore catcher Joe Powell came across to score the lone run of the inning for Cincinnati and get them on the board.
The Shockers failed to push any runs across before the Bearcats built on their lead in the third inning. Cincinnati brought home a pair, with one run driven in by sophomore outfielder Cole Harting's single, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Bearcats.
Wichita State narrowed Cincinnati's lead to 3-1 before the Bearcats stretched the advantage to 4-1 in the fourth inning. The Bearcats picked up a run on Cross' one-out RBI double.
The Shockers then evened up the ballgame at four before Cincinnati fought back to reclaim their advantage in the eighth inning. The Bearcats sent in a run on Palmieri's one-out solo dinger off sophomore Caden Favors, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Cincinnati.
Wichita State came back to tie the game at five before the Bearcats reclaimed a 7-5 advantage in the 14th inning. Cincinnati picked up two runs when a single from Hansen scored Harting and redshirt senior infielder Wyatt Stapp. Graduate pitcher Ryan Steckline came in for the save as the Bearcats held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
- Powell hit his 10th and 11th doubles of the season today, extending his hit-streak to eight games and his on-base streak to 20 games. His batting average now sits at .379 and his slugging percentage is at .747.
- Harker threw six shutout innings in relief, striking out four Wichita State batters and giving up only one hit. He earned his second win of the season.
- Redshirt junior outfielder Griffin Merritt drove in his 39th RBI in first inning on sacrifice fly and ended the night 1-for-5.
- Cross extended his on-base streak to 20 games with a 3-for-6 day at the plate. He reached base four times. This was his second three-hit game of the year.
- Keathley threw his second-straight quality start tonight, going six innings, giving up three earned runs and striking out five batters.
- Palmieri hit a solo home run to right field in the eighth inning. It was his second homer of the season.
- Hansen went 3-for-6 tonight, including hiting the go-ahead two-RBI single in the 14th inning, making it his first three-hit game of the year.
- Steckline earned his second save of the season.
- This is the Bearcats' first extra-inning road win since beating Houston Baptist on Feb. 24, 2019.
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