TicketsCINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati baseball team will look to build off its midweek win as it hosts Baylor this weekend. Friday's game begins at 6 p.m., followed by 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The Bearcats, coming off their first three-game losing streak in nearly a year (April 15-22, 2025), defeated Miami on Wednesday night. They responded from that 2025 slump with wins in seven of the next eight games, staying firm in the NCAA at-large picture.
Jackson Smith's eighth-inning double served as the game-winner at Prasco Park. It was UC's first win decided in the eighth or ninth inning since the second BYU game (March 13). He also drew his 18th hit-by-pitch of the year, moving into sixth in school history. It is also tops in the Big 12 and eighth nationally.
Dominic Mauro shut the door for a two-inning save, his fifth of the year. All have been two or more innings, with his first being 3 1/3 against Austin Peay. His presence will be a factor for a bullpen dealing with Carson Marsh's injury and after his last two outings (Kansas and Oklahoma State) being his toughest of the season.
Nate Taylor has locked in Fridays for the Bearcats, pitching into the seventh inning three consecutive weeks and weathering a heavy Oklahoma State attack last week. Over the last three contests, and bullpen games notwithstanding, only two UC pitchers have gone more than 3 innings: Dillon Schueler in relief Saturday at Oklahoma State and Logan Knight as Sunday's starter.
Jack Natili (who had a double and triple as well) and Derrick Pitts each had three hits on Wednesday. Those two lead the team with 17 multi-hit games, and combined with Quinton Coats, account for three Bearcats in the Big 12's top-six for most hits. And speaking of that number, Enzo Infelise has reached safely in 17-straight games. Wednesday marked his third start at catcher, and he threw out his lone stolen-base attempt, improving to 3-of-6.
Coats remains in the national lead with 20 homers. Cincinnati is 13-3 when he leaves the yard, which includes multi-HR games against UC San Diego (twice) and Utah (three). Baylor has also allowed the second-fewest homers in the league
Cincinnati is 18-5 when scoring six or more runs, with two of those losses coming in the last two weekends.
ABOUT BAYLOR
The teams share two mutual opponents in Oklahoma State and BYU. Baylor won each of those series, whereas Cincinnati was swept by the former and lost 2 of 3 in the latter (both on the road).
Tyce Armstrong made national headlines on Opening Night as the second player in NCAA history with three grand slams. His 12 RBI were also a school record.