TicketsMEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Cincinnati baseball team claimed its first conference series win, defeating Memphis, 5-3, in the series finale on Saturday afternoon in Memphis, Tenn.
The Bearcats complete the series with two wins over the Tigers, as UC improves to 14-19 overall and 3-3 in the American.
Sophomore starter Tommy O'Connor went a career-long 4.0 innings, allowing just one run on three hits in his second start of the season. Senior Jackson Murphy (3-1) picked up the win in 1.2 shutout innings while senior Mitch White earned his third save of the season.
Sophomore Kerrington Cross went 1-for-4 with two RBI. He delivered the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh. Redshirt junior Alec Jones finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, one run scored, three walks and two stolen bases.
The Bearcats tied their season high in stolen bases with nine – one shy of the program record.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
Cincinnati fell behind in the second inning when Memphis plated an early run on an RBI triple against O'Connor.
The Bearcats took the lead in the top of the fourth. Jones drew a lead-off walk and Ryan Nicholson reached on a fielding error. JP Sponseller drove in a run with a single to center field before Kameron Guidry's sacrifice fly to right field made it 2-1.
Cincinnati extended its advantage to 3-1 thanks to an RBI base hit to center field by Jones in the fifth. The Tigers tied the ballgame with two runs on two hits against Dylan Brosky in the home half.
Memphis threatened with two on and one out in the bottom of the sixth, but Murphy induced a pair of ground outs to end the inning.
The Bearcats reclaimed the advantage in the top of the seventh. Max Palmieri reached on the Tigers' second error of the game to lead off the frame. He stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. Cross came through with a two-out double down the left field line to bring home Palmieri.
Memphis had a runner in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the eighth, but Alex Shea retired three straight to end the threat.
Griffin Hugus and Josh Hegemann drew back-to-back, one-out walks in the top of the ninth. The pair completed a double steal to put runners on second and third. The Bearcats added an insurance run as Cross reached on a fielder's choice, 5-3.
White entered the game in the bottom of the ninth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning to earn the save.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati will face Miami (OH) in the second installment of the Joe Nuxhall Classic on Tuesday, April 11. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at UC Baseball Stadium.
The Bearcats complete the series with two wins over the Tigers, as UC improves to 14-19 overall and 3-3 in the American.
Sophomore starter Tommy O'Connor went a career-long 4.0 innings, allowing just one run on three hits in his second start of the season. Senior Jackson Murphy (3-1) picked up the win in 1.2 shutout innings while senior Mitch White earned his third save of the season.
Sophomore Kerrington Cross went 1-for-4 with two RBI. He delivered the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh. Redshirt junior Alec Jones finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, one run scored, three walks and two stolen bases.
The Bearcats tied their season high in stolen bases with nine – one shy of the program record.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
Cincinnati fell behind in the second inning when Memphis plated an early run on an RBI triple against O'Connor.
The Bearcats took the lead in the top of the fourth. Jones drew a lead-off walk and Ryan Nicholson reached on a fielding error. JP Sponseller drove in a run with a single to center field before Kameron Guidry's sacrifice fly to right field made it 2-1.
Cincinnati extended its advantage to 3-1 thanks to an RBI base hit to center field by Jones in the fifth. The Tigers tied the ballgame with two runs on two hits against Dylan Brosky in the home half.
Memphis threatened with two on and one out in the bottom of the sixth, but Murphy induced a pair of ground outs to end the inning.
The Bearcats reclaimed the advantage in the top of the seventh. Max Palmieri reached on the Tigers' second error of the game to lead off the frame. He stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. Cross came through with a two-out double down the left field line to bring home Palmieri.
Memphis had a runner in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the eighth, but Alex Shea retired three straight to end the threat.
Griffin Hugus and Josh Hegemann drew back-to-back, one-out walks in the top of the ninth. The pair completed a double steal to put runners on second and third. The Bearcats added an insurance run as Cross reached on a fielder's choice, 5-3.
White entered the game in the bottom of the ninth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning to earn the save.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati will face Miami (OH) in the second installment of the Joe Nuxhall Classic on Tuesday, April 11. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at UC Baseball Stadium.