TicketsHOUSTON, Texas – The University of Cincinnati baseball team scored six runs in the sixth inning to take down league leader Houston, 12-7, in the series opener on Thursday night inside Schroeder Park.
Redshirt junior Ryan Nicholson belted his first career grand slam to cap off a six-run sixth inning. His heroics wrapped up a 2-for-5, four RBI night at the plate. He now sits ninth all-time at Cincinnati for home runs in a career (31) and 10th in a single season (14).
Freshman Griffin Hugus provided the go-ahead two-run single in the sixth. He finished with three RBI, one run scored and a stolen base.
Kameron Guidry, Alec Jones and Josh Hegemann all recorded two hits in the victory while Tommy O'Connor hit his seventh homer of the season.
Redshirt junior Chase Hopewell went three shutout innings in his 14th start of the season. Sophomore Garrett Harker (2-5) picked up the win while junior Max Bergmann tossed two shutout innings in relief.
The Bearcats finished with double figures in the hit column for the 16th time this season. UC also tied its season-high 11 walks drawn.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
O'Connor put Cincinnati on the board in the top of the second with a solo shot to left center.
The Bearcats added to their lead with two runs on two hits in the top of the fifth. Sean Springer drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a failed pick-off attempt. Hegemann and Cross each drove in a run with two outs to make it 3-0.
Houston evened the ballgame on a pair of two-out hits in the bottom of the fifth, but Cincinnati quickly responded with an explosive six-spot in the next frame.
Jones was hit-by-pitch, Guidry singled and Springer drew a walk to load the bases for Hugus who greeted the new hurler with a one-out, two-run single to center field. Cross was walked to load the bases once again, this time for Nicholson. The redshirt junior slugger stepped into the batter's box and smashed the first pitch he saw 405 feet over the left field wall at 100 mph off the bat. His first career grand slam capped a six-run sixth inning.
The Bearcats drew four walks to help push across two more runs in the top of the seventh. Hugus notched an RBI ground out while Cross drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 11-3.
The Cougars scored four runs over two innings to pull within four heading into the ninth. Cincinnati pulled off the double steal as Hegemann raced home for the 12-7 final score.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati and Houston will play the middle game of the series at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Redshirt junior Ryan Nicholson belted his first career grand slam to cap off a six-run sixth inning. His heroics wrapped up a 2-for-5, four RBI night at the plate. He now sits ninth all-time at Cincinnati for home runs in a career (31) and 10th in a single season (14).
Freshman Griffin Hugus provided the go-ahead two-run single in the sixth. He finished with three RBI, one run scored and a stolen base.
Kameron Guidry, Alec Jones and Josh Hegemann all recorded two hits in the victory while Tommy O'Connor hit his seventh homer of the season.
Redshirt junior Chase Hopewell went three shutout innings in his 14th start of the season. Sophomore Garrett Harker (2-5) picked up the win while junior Max Bergmann tossed two shutout innings in relief.
The Bearcats finished with double figures in the hit column for the 16th time this season. UC also tied its season-high 11 walks drawn.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
O'Connor put Cincinnati on the board in the top of the second with a solo shot to left center.
The Bearcats added to their lead with two runs on two hits in the top of the fifth. Sean Springer drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a failed pick-off attempt. Hegemann and Cross each drove in a run with two outs to make it 3-0.
Houston evened the ballgame on a pair of two-out hits in the bottom of the fifth, but Cincinnati quickly responded with an explosive six-spot in the next frame.
Jones was hit-by-pitch, Guidry singled and Springer drew a walk to load the bases for Hugus who greeted the new hurler with a one-out, two-run single to center field. Cross was walked to load the bases once again, this time for Nicholson. The redshirt junior slugger stepped into the batter's box and smashed the first pitch he saw 405 feet over the left field wall at 100 mph off the bat. His first career grand slam capped a six-run sixth inning.
The Bearcats drew four walks to help push across two more runs in the top of the seventh. Hugus notched an RBI ground out while Cross drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 11-3.
The Cougars scored four runs over two innings to pull within four heading into the ninth. Cincinnati pulled off the double steal as Hegemann raced home for the 12-7 final score.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati and Houston will play the middle game of the series at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.