TicketsCINCINNATI – Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tommy Boba carried a no-hitter into the top of the ninth inning on Saturday in Cincinnati's 1-0 win vs. Kansas.
The Bearcats (11-9, 2-3 Big 12) captured their first home conference win of the year behind Boba's masterful start. It was UC's first shutout since April 16, 2022 when it defeated Wichita State, 4-0.
Boba held the Jayhawks hitless through eight innings, finally surrendering his first hit of the day to the leadoff hitter in the top of the ninth. He struck out a career-best eight and retired 11 straight batters at one point from the end of the fourth inning to the beginning of the eighth.
Five of Boba's eight strikeouts were inning-ending, capping each of the first five innings with a punchout.
The Bearcats needed only one run to win Saturday's low-scoring affair and Alec Jones provided the lone RBI. His single to left field in the bottom of the fifth scored Lauden Brooks in what proved to be the game-winning hit.
Boba left the game after allowing his first hit in the top of the ninth, and Christian Mitchelle came in and earned his second save of the year.
The rubber match between Cincinnati and Kansas is set for Sunday at noon.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were held scoreless and hitless through the first four-and-a-half innings, but Cincinnati's fortunes changed in the bottom of the fifth. Lauden Brooks doubled into the gap in right-center field to record the first hit of the game for either squad, and two at-bats later Alec Jones ripped a single into left field to bring in the first and only run of the day.
In the meantime, Tommy Boba was putting on a masterclass of pitching. He retired the first seven hitters he faced before walking the second batter of the top of the third. The free pass didn't rattle Boba, who struck out the next two hitters to get out of the inning.
Boba allowed another baserunner in the top of the fourth on a two-out walk, but retired the next 11 hitters he faced. The next KU batter to reach was in the top of the eighth on a hit by pitch, but again Boba remained unfazed. Kerrington Cross did his best to preserve the no-no as well, making a terrific running catch on a shallow fly ball into left field to record the second out of the eighth.
The no-hitter ended in the top of the ninth on a bunt single by KU's leadoff hitter. Trailing by just a run, the Jayhawks opted to put a runner on base by any means necessary and successfully dropped a bunt to the third base side of the infield. Boba left the game after that to a rousing ovation from the Cincinnati baseball faithful in attendance.
Christian Mitchelle entered the game to close it out and successfully accomplished his mission. He did allow a two-out double that put runners at second and third, but induced a harmless ground ball to end the game and earn the save.
// TICKET INFORMATION
To purchase Cincinnati baseball tickets, visit GoBearcats.com/Tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849).
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.
The Bearcats (11-9, 2-3 Big 12) captured their first home conference win of the year behind Boba's masterful start. It was UC's first shutout since April 16, 2022 when it defeated Wichita State, 4-0.
Boba held the Jayhawks hitless through eight innings, finally surrendering his first hit of the day to the leadoff hitter in the top of the ninth. He struck out a career-best eight and retired 11 straight batters at one point from the end of the fourth inning to the beginning of the eighth.
Five of Boba's eight strikeouts were inning-ending, capping each of the first five innings with a punchout.
The Bearcats needed only one run to win Saturday's low-scoring affair and Alec Jones provided the lone RBI. His single to left field in the bottom of the fifth scored Lauden Brooks in what proved to be the game-winning hit.
Boba left the game after allowing his first hit in the top of the ninth, and Christian Mitchelle came in and earned his second save of the year.
The rubber match between Cincinnati and Kansas is set for Sunday at noon.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were held scoreless and hitless through the first four-and-a-half innings, but Cincinnati's fortunes changed in the bottom of the fifth. Lauden Brooks doubled into the gap in right-center field to record the first hit of the game for either squad, and two at-bats later Alec Jones ripped a single into left field to bring in the first and only run of the day.
In the meantime, Tommy Boba was putting on a masterclass of pitching. He retired the first seven hitters he faced before walking the second batter of the top of the third. The free pass didn't rattle Boba, who struck out the next two hitters to get out of the inning.
Boba allowed another baserunner in the top of the fourth on a two-out walk, but retired the next 11 hitters he faced. The next KU batter to reach was in the top of the eighth on a hit by pitch, but again Boba remained unfazed. Kerrington Cross did his best to preserve the no-no as well, making a terrific running catch on a shallow fly ball into left field to record the second out of the eighth.
The no-hitter ended in the top of the ninth on a bunt single by KU's leadoff hitter. Trailing by just a run, the Jayhawks opted to put a runner on base by any means necessary and successfully dropped a bunt to the third base side of the infield. Boba left the game after that to a rousing ovation from the Cincinnati baseball faithful in attendance.
Christian Mitchelle entered the game to close it out and successfully accomplished his mission. He did allow a two-out double that put runners at second and third, but induced a harmless ground ball to end the game and earn the save.
// TICKET INFORMATION
To purchase Cincinnati baseball tickets, visit GoBearcats.com/Tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849).
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.