Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball: Bats Go Silent in 7-1 Loss to Xavier

I predicted that yesterday afternoon’s tilt between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier Musketeers would feature offensive fireworks. I was half right, as UC failed to do much of anything offensively while allowing the X to run away with a 7-1 win and take the season series.

Cincinnati took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Eric Santiago, who led off the frame with a walk, scored on a throwing error. From there it was all Xavier as the Bearcats mustered all of three hits, while the Musketeers pounded out 11 knocks and the seven runs. Conor Grammes went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI and also pitched two scoreless innings of relief while right fielder Joe Gellenbeck was a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run and three runs scored.

For UC, which dropped to 27-26 with the loss, left fielder Jace Mercer had a two-hit afternoon in the three-hole, but R.J. Thompson’s double in the eighth inning was the only other hit the Bearcats managed. Still, with five walks and three errors from Xavier, the ‘Cats still left seven runners on base.

Cam Alldred got the start for UC and he fell to 2-1 after getting lit up for six runs on eight hits and three walks across 4 ¹⁄₃ innings. Reese Robinson finished the final 3 ²⁄₃ innings, giving up one run in the process. Trent Astle, who had an ERA in the upper sixes entering play, tossed four solid innings for the X, allowing just a single unearned run and striking out four.

With losses in three of their last four games, UC, which split the first two games of the season series with Xavier, will play its final series of the regular season starting on Thursday against the Houston Cougars in Houston. In preparation, I spoke with our pals over at the Scott & Holman Pawdcast about UC baseball and the upcoming series. Take a listen.