On a warm Wednesday night at Marge Schott Field, the Cincinnati Bearcats were able to overcome a loud first inning from Western Carolina to run away with a win.
As was predicted in our preview of the game, A.J. Olasz got the start for the Bearcats. The lefthander got off to a shaky start on the night, giving up three runs in the first inning, as well as one in the fourth, an inning he would not get out of. He threw 62 pitches in only 3 2/3 innings of work before being replaced by reliever Reese Robinson. Robinson finished off the game in impressive fashion, giving up zero runs on three hits across 5 1/3 innings.
Despite Olasz’s slow start, the Bearcats offense revived him and gave UC an easy road to victory..
After WCU put up a three-spot in the top of the first, Cincinnati answered with a run in the first inning, a three-run second Inning and a four-run effort in the third, effectively putting the game away. The 'Cats would also add one more run in the bottom of the sixth.
R.J. Thompson went a perfect 3-for-3 in the game, smashing his fourth home run and 11th double of the season while driving in three runs and walking twice. Thompson finished a triple shy of completing the cycle. Ryan Noda went 1-for-3 and scored three runs and while adding two RBI. Most notably, Noda hit an absolute bomb in the second inning that would end up on the roof of Fifth Third Arena. It was his ninth home run of the season and third in the last four games.
Game MVP: RJ Thompson
It was a bit hard to choose an MVP between Thompson, Nod, and Robinson, who came up big by allowing Ty Neal to only have to use two pitchers, but I am sticking with Thompson because of his almost cycle. Thompson was seeing the ball very well on Wednesday night and had he not been walked twice on the evening, he may have had a shot at a triple to complete his outing. is home run and three RBI were crucial in securing a win for the Bearcats against WCU.
On Deck
After back-to-back wins at Marge Schott, the Bearcats are holding their heads up high. Their next outing will be game one of a three-game series against UCF starting Friday at home.