TicketsCINCINNATI – Down to his last strike, junior outfielder Landyn Vidourek shot a single up the middle to score two runs and lead the University of Cincinnati baseball team to a 7-6 win over UCF in extra innings.
The Bearcats (15-11, 3-5 Big 12) will play for a series sweep on Sunday at noon.
Cincinnati tied the game in the seventh inning, but the Knights (17-9, 3-5 Big 12) scored in the top of the 10th to make it 6-5.
Undeterred, UC put together a rally in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Tommy O'Connor walked to open the inning, then senior Donovan Ford was hit by a pitch and redshirt senior Kerrington Cross intentionally walked to load the bases. Two batters later Vidourek stepped to the plate with two outs and a chance to end it, which is exactly what he did. Facing a 1-2 count, he ripped one up the middle into center field that scored O'Connor and Ford easily, turning a one-run deficit into a wild, walk-off win with one swing of the bat.
The game-winning hit capped a terrific day for Vidourek, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two walks, and a couple stolen bases. Cross was outstanding once again as well, going 2-for-3 with a couple walks and a stolen base. Junior Christian Mitchelle and redshirt freshman Charlie Niehaus also had multi-hit efforts.
Cross now has six straight multi-hit games and his batting average on the season stands and an eye-popping .453. He is getting on base more than half the time as well, as his on-base percentage is .556 after Saturday's action.
Five different pitchers saw time on the mound on Saturday. Redshirt senior Kellen O'Connor made the start and struck out two across 4.2 innings, while the bullpen quartet of sophomore Carson Marsh, senior Michael Conte, senior Rodney Shultz, and junior Chase Horst allowed just one run over the final 5.1 frames.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
After UCF took an early lead in game one, Cincinnati returned the favor in game two. Landyn Vidourek's RBI single brought in Kerrington Cross and gave UC a 1-0 lead.
The Knights responded with two runs in the top of the second, but the Bearcats hit right back with two in the bottom half of the inning. Cross' sac fly made it 3-2 and Donovan Ford then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.
A two-run home run from UCF's two-hole hitter Antonio Jimenez broke the tie in the top of the fifth to put the score at 5-3.
Cincinnati tied the game at 5-5 in the seventh. Cross scored on a wild pitch, then Christian Mitchelle's RBI single through the right side of the infield scored Vidourek to tie the game. UCF nearly retook the lead in the eighth after putting runners at the corners with no outs, but Rodney Shultz stood tall to escape the jam. He fielded a ground ball and smartly looked to the runner heading home, resulting in the first out of the inning. Two more ground balls got him out of the inning.
The game remained scoreless until the 10th inning when the Knights grabbed their first lead since the middle of the game. The lead didn't last long, however, as Vidourek's heroics sent the Bearcats faithful home happy.
// CINCINNATI BASEBALL TICKET INFO
Upcoming Big 12 series at UC Baseball Stadium this season include Arizona State (April 11-13), Oklahoma State (April 25-27), and Kansas State (May 15-17). Non-conference games at UC Baseball Stadium include midweek contests vs. Xavier (April 15) and Indiana (May 13).
There is still a lot of great baseball left to be played at UC Baseball Stadium this season! To purchase your tickets, visit cpaw.me/Tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849).
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on X/Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Bearcats (15-11, 3-5 Big 12) will play for a series sweep on Sunday at noon.
Cincinnati tied the game in the seventh inning, but the Knights (17-9, 3-5 Big 12) scored in the top of the 10th to make it 6-5.
Undeterred, UC put together a rally in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Tommy O'Connor walked to open the inning, then senior Donovan Ford was hit by a pitch and redshirt senior Kerrington Cross intentionally walked to load the bases. Two batters later Vidourek stepped to the plate with two outs and a chance to end it, which is exactly what he did. Facing a 1-2 count, he ripped one up the middle into center field that scored O'Connor and Ford easily, turning a one-run deficit into a wild, walk-off win with one swing of the bat.
The game-winning hit capped a terrific day for Vidourek, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two walks, and a couple stolen bases. Cross was outstanding once again as well, going 2-for-3 with a couple walks and a stolen base. Junior Christian Mitchelle and redshirt freshman Charlie Niehaus also had multi-hit efforts.
Cross now has six straight multi-hit games and his batting average on the season stands and an eye-popping .453. He is getting on base more than half the time as well, as his on-base percentage is .556 after Saturday's action.
Five different pitchers saw time on the mound on Saturday. Redshirt senior Kellen O'Connor made the start and struck out two across 4.2 innings, while the bullpen quartet of sophomore Carson Marsh, senior Michael Conte, senior Rodney Shultz, and junior Chase Horst allowed just one run over the final 5.1 frames.
🗣️ @landynvidourek
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) March 29, 2025
Hear from the hero 👑#Bearcats | #TenGames pic.twitter.com/ChQdP7vIYN
// HOW IT HAPPENED
After UCF took an early lead in game one, Cincinnati returned the favor in game two. Landyn Vidourek's RBI single brought in Kerrington Cross and gave UC a 1-0 lead.
The Knights responded with two runs in the top of the second, but the Bearcats hit right back with two in the bottom half of the inning. Cross' sac fly made it 3-2 and Donovan Ford then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.
A two-run home run from UCF's two-hole hitter Antonio Jimenez broke the tie in the top of the fifth to put the score at 5-3.
Cincinnati tied the game at 5-5 in the seventh. Cross scored on a wild pitch, then Christian Mitchelle's RBI single through the right side of the infield scored Vidourek to tie the game. UCF nearly retook the lead in the eighth after putting runners at the corners with no outs, but Rodney Shultz stood tall to escape the jam. He fielded a ground ball and smartly looked to the runner heading home, resulting in the first out of the inning. Two more ground balls got him out of the inning.
The game remained scoreless until the 10th inning when the Knights grabbed their first lead since the middle of the game. The lead didn't last long, however, as Vidourek's heroics sent the Bearcats faithful home happy.
// CINCINNATI BASEBALL TICKET INFO
Upcoming Big 12 series at UC Baseball Stadium this season include Arizona State (April 11-13), Oklahoma State (April 25-27), and Kansas State (May 15-17). Non-conference games at UC Baseball Stadium include midweek contests vs. Xavier (April 15) and Indiana (May 13).
There is still a lot of great baseball left to be played at UC Baseball Stadium this season! To purchase your tickets, visit cpaw.me/Tickets or call 1-877-CATS-TIX (1-877-228-7849).
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow @GoBearcatsBASE on X/Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.