TicketsCINCINNATI – Tommy O'Connor's two-run home run capped a four-run seventh inning that proved to be the difference in Cincinnati's 6-4 win vs. Houston on Friday in game one of their weekend series.
The Bearcats (22-17, 8-8 Big 12) trailed for much of the game, as the Cougars (19-19, 5-14 Big 12) led 4-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. UC broke its scoreless drought with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 4-2.
Cincinnati's big inning was the bottom of the seventh, when it scored four runs to go up 6-4. After RBI from Josh Kross and Luke Sefcik tied the game at 4-4, O'Connor crushed a two-run home run to give his team the lead for the first time all game. Christian Mitchelle recorded a two-out save to finish off the Cougars and give the Bearcats a series-opening win.
O'Connor reached base in all four of his plate appearances on Friday, walking three times in addition to hitting the game-winning home run. Mitchelle went 2-for-4 with an RBI and struck out two in his two-inning save, and Chase Horst earned his second win of the year. Kerrington Cross got on base three times out of the leadoff spot, recording a hit and walking twice.
First pitch for game two is set for 2 PM on Saturday.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
The first three innings breezed by without any runs from either squad, but Houston grabbed the lead in the fourth with the first run of the game. The Cougars extended their lead with two runs in the fifth and made it 4-0 with a run in the sixth, all before the Bearcats found the scoreboard.
UC broke its offensive drought in the bottom of the sixth with a couple runs to halve the deficit and make it 4-2. Christian Mitchelle's bases-loaded single brought in the first Cincinnati run, and Lauden Brooks drove in the second run on a sac fly.
Chase Horst entered the game to pitch in the seventh and got himself in a sticky situation, putting two of the first three runners he faced on base. But he stood tall when it mattered most, striking out the next two hitters to escape the inning unscathed.
Cincinnati's offense clicked into place in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs to take the lead for the first time. Josh Kross drove in the first run of the game with a base hit into left field, and Luke Sefcik tied the game on a successful safety squeeze. Tommy O'Connor stepped to the plate next and flipped the script entirely, smashing a 2-1 pitch over the fence in left field to give the Bearcats a 6-4 lead.
Mitchelle moved from second base to the pitcher's mound in the top of the eighth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, with a runner on third base and the tying run at the plate, he came out on top in a 12-pitch at-bat against Houston's five-hole hitter to end the game and cap the series-opening win.
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NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change due to weather. All schedule changes will be announced on Twitter at @GoBearcatsBASE.
The Bearcats (22-17, 8-8 Big 12) trailed for much of the game, as the Cougars (19-19, 5-14 Big 12) led 4-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth. UC broke its scoreless drought with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it 4-2.
Cincinnati's big inning was the bottom of the seventh, when it scored four runs to go up 6-4. After RBI from Josh Kross and Luke Sefcik tied the game at 4-4, O'Connor crushed a two-run home run to give his team the lead for the first time all game. Christian Mitchelle recorded a two-out save to finish off the Cougars and give the Bearcats a series-opening win.
O'Connor reached base in all four of his plate appearances on Friday, walking three times in addition to hitting the game-winning home run. Mitchelle went 2-for-4 with an RBI and struck out two in his two-inning save, and Chase Horst earned his second win of the year. Kerrington Cross got on base three times out of the leadoff spot, recording a hit and walking twice.
First pitch for game two is set for 2 PM on Saturday.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
The first three innings breezed by without any runs from either squad, but Houston grabbed the lead in the fourth with the first run of the game. The Cougars extended their lead with two runs in the fifth and made it 4-0 with a run in the sixth, all before the Bearcats found the scoreboard.
UC broke its offensive drought in the bottom of the sixth with a couple runs to halve the deficit and make it 4-2. Christian Mitchelle's bases-loaded single brought in the first Cincinnati run, and Lauden Brooks drove in the second run on a sac fly.
Chase Horst entered the game to pitch in the seventh and got himself in a sticky situation, putting two of the first three runners he faced on base. But he stood tall when it mattered most, striking out the next two hitters to escape the inning unscathed.
Cincinnati's offense clicked into place in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs to take the lead for the first time. Josh Kross drove in the first run of the game with a base hit into left field, and Luke Sefcik tied the game on a successful safety squeeze. Tommy O'Connor stepped to the plate next and flipped the script entirely, smashing a 2-1 pitch over the fence in left field to give the Bearcats a 6-4 lead.
Mitchelle moved from second base to the pitcher's mound in the top of the eighth and tossed a 1-2-3 inning. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, with a runner on third base and the tying run at the plate, he came out on top in a 12-pitch at-bat against Houston's five-hole hitter to end the game and cap the series-opening win.
// 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.