FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
Game 1: Cincinnati 6 USF 1
Game 2: Cincinnati 5 USF 4
CINCINNATI– The University of Cincinnati baseball team used two of its top performances by its pitching staff to second a BIG EAST doubleheader sweep against USF, 6-1 and 5-4 at Marge Schott Stadium. Michael Hill struck out seven and yielded four hits on his way to a complete game victory in Game One, while Billy Welsh shut out USF over three and two-thirds innings of relief to lead UC to the win in Game Two.
In the first game, the Bearcats’ Tony Campana set the table by leading off with a single and stealing second. No. 2 hitter Jamel Scott’s RBI single plated Campana and gave the home side an early 1-0 advantage.
The Bearcats added three runs, all with one out, to take control in the third inning. Mike Spina started the rally with a double and came home on Josh Harrison’s single. Ryan Baker reached base via a fielding error and Cameron Satterwhite singled to load the bases. Justin Riddell’s walk plated Harrison. Chris Peters found himself hit by a Randy Fontanez pitch to force home Baker and make it a 4-0 Bearcats lead.
In the fourth inning, Spina started the Bearcats offense with his second double of the game. Harrison followed with a bunt single and Baker doubled down the left field line to drive in both Spina and Harrison and make it a 6-0 Bearcats lead.
USF earned its first run of the day when Joey Angelberger doubled to lead off the top of the sixth. Angelberger advanced to third on Ryan Lockwood’s single and scored on a ground out by Brian Hobbs for the lone USF run of the first game.
The run support was more than enough for UC’s Hill who was masterful for seven innings. The junior righthander allowed four hits and struck out seven en route to the win. USF’s Fontanez (1-2) took the loss, giving up six runs on 10 hits in four innings of work.
The second game resembled the first in the early going. Cincinnati struck first when Spina reached base on the first of five USF fielding errors. He advanced to second on Harrison’s single. Satterwhite walked to load the bases. Spina was able to score on a fielder’s choice. A single through the left side by Peters drove in Satterwhite to give UC a 2-0 edge.
Scott started the top of the third with a single and stole second. The first of three hits by Kevin Johnson allowed Scott to come home and make it a 3-0 UC lead.
USF went in front 4-3 with a four-run fourth inning. With Angelberger on first, Lockwood doubled to put runners in scoring position. Brandon Smith reached on a free pass to load the bases with Bulls. Trey Manz singled to score Angelberger and the first Bulls run. With the bases still jammed, Stephen Hunt’s walk plated Lockwood and chased UC starter Tyler Smith out of the contest. A fielder’s choice scored Brandon Smith and knotted the game at 3-3. Jonathan Koscso’s base hit scored Manz to make it 4-3.
Billy Welsh (1-0) came into the game for UC and squelched the USF rally. In his longest out of the season, Welsh pitched three and two-thirds shutout innings of relief, allowing three hits and striking out one.
The Bearcats took the lead back with a pair of runs in the fifth. Campana singled and stole second. Scott’s ground ball was muffed and the Bearcats found themselves with runners on the corners. Scott swiped second and Johnson’s hit gave UC the lead for good.
Welsh managed the lead into the eighth before giving way after a USF lead off hit. Jake Geglein retired six batters to register the final two innings for his second save of the season.
The Bearcats finish their 15-game homestand on Tuesday when they host Toledo. First pitch against the Rockets is set for 4 p.m.
