TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati baseball team earned the season sweep of crosstown rival Xavier on Tuesday night at UC Baseball Stadium.
The Bearcats (21-27, 8-10 AAC) defeated the Musketeers, 8-7, in a game that featured four lead changes and eight combined errors. UC completed the season sweep of Xavier for the first time since 2018.
Josh Hegemann, Kerrington Cross and CJ Dean all recorded two hits while Cole Harting and JP Sponseller each drove in two runs. Cincinnati finished with double figures in the hit column for the 13th time this season. The Bearcats' offense generated four extra-base hits, including a solo home run from Max Palmieri.
Cincinnati used five pitchers in the game. Junior Zach Segal (3-1) earned the win in two shutout innings in relief. He is now one strikeout away from 100 in his career.
Freshman two-way player Griffin Hugus, who made his first career start at first base, completed a busy night with his second save of the season.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
Cincinnati struck first with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first. Hegemann led off the inning with a base hit to right center. Cross brought him home on a double down the left field line while Harting followed with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0.
The Musketeers capitalized on three Bearcat errors in the top of the third, scoring four unearned runs to take the lead.
Palmieri got a run back for the Bearcats on a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the fourth, but Xavier quickly responded with an RBI ground out in the next frame.
The Bearcats tied the ballgame with two runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the sixth. Harting starting things off with a one-out double to right center. After Kameron Guidry was hit-by-pitch, Sean Springer laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Dean then delivered an RBI infield single while a throwing error plated another run on the play.
Xavier reclaimed the lead with two runs on two hits, including a solo home run, in the top of the seventh, 7-5.
Cincinnati came back once again in the home half with three runs on two hits and an error. Cam Scheler and Hegemann drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Cross then singled through the left side to load the bases. Harting reached on an error to score a run while Sponseller brought in two more on a fielder's choice.
Xavier threatened with a runner on first with one out in the top of the ninth. The Musketeers doubled to right field and sent the game-tying run home before a 9-6-2 got the runner out on the play. Hugus, who recorded the assist on the out at home, then made the short trip to the mound to close out the game. He induced a fly out to earn his second save of the season.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati hosts UCF for a three-game series this weekend, beginning Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at UC Baseball Stadium. Sunday's game will serve as Senior Day as UC will recognize 12 members of its senior class and two managers.
The Bearcats (21-27, 8-10 AAC) defeated the Musketeers, 8-7, in a game that featured four lead changes and eight combined errors. UC completed the season sweep of Xavier for the first time since 2018.
Josh Hegemann, Kerrington Cross and CJ Dean all recorded two hits while Cole Harting and JP Sponseller each drove in two runs. Cincinnati finished with double figures in the hit column for the 13th time this season. The Bearcats' offense generated four extra-base hits, including a solo home run from Max Palmieri.
Cincinnati used five pitchers in the game. Junior Zach Segal (3-1) earned the win in two shutout innings in relief. He is now one strikeout away from 100 in his career.
Freshman two-way player Griffin Hugus, who made his first career start at first base, completed a busy night with his second save of the season.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
Cincinnati struck first with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first. Hegemann led off the inning with a base hit to right center. Cross brought him home on a double down the left field line while Harting followed with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0.
The Musketeers capitalized on three Bearcat errors in the top of the third, scoring four unearned runs to take the lead.
Palmieri got a run back for the Bearcats on a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the fourth, but Xavier quickly responded with an RBI ground out in the next frame.
The Bearcats tied the ballgame with two runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the sixth. Harting starting things off with a one-out double to right center. After Kameron Guidry was hit-by-pitch, Sean Springer laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Dean then delivered an RBI infield single while a throwing error plated another run on the play.
Xavier reclaimed the lead with two runs on two hits, including a solo home run, in the top of the seventh, 7-5.
Cincinnati came back once again in the home half with three runs on two hits and an error. Cam Scheler and Hegemann drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Cross then singled through the left side to load the bases. Harting reached on an error to score a run while Sponseller brought in two more on a fielder's choice.
Xavier threatened with a runner on first with one out in the top of the ninth. The Musketeers doubled to right field and sent the game-tying run home before a 9-6-2 got the runner out on the play. Hugus, who recorded the assist on the out at home, then made the short trip to the mound to close out the game. He induced a fly out to earn his second save of the season.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati hosts UCF for a three-game series this weekend, beginning Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at UC Baseball Stadium. Sunday's game will serve as Senior Day as UC will recognize 12 members of its senior class and two managers.