Loss, Weather Dampen Tuesday for Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball

It’s too bad lightning and bad weather shortened Tuesday’s game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Wright State Raiders. Everybody knows the Bearcats were just waiting until the last few innings to stage an epic comeback. Whether or not that’s true, we’ll never know, as the sky did not cooperate for a full game and UC was dealt a 5-1 loss after six and a half innings.

Wright State (16-10) struck early with back-to-back solo home runs from first baseman Gabe Snyder and designated hitter Zane Harris in the second inning. Those homers, and an additional three unearned runs the Raiders scored in the fifth inning, were all hung on the arm of freshman right-hander Jalen Wade, who was making his second collegiate start for the Bearcats (12-14).

Wade ended up allowing five runs, but only two earned across 4 ²⁄₃ innings. He also let up seven hits and a walk while striking out just one batter. Wade has pitched in six games this season and has a 4.67 ERA in 17 1/3 innings. He was relieved by Tristan Hammans, who allowed two hits and as many walks but also struck out a pair and did not surrender a run in 1 ¹⁄₃ innings of work. Clayton Colvin got the last three outs of the game without a run scoring.

UC’s lone run of the contest came via an RBI double from Kyle Mottice in the bottom of the fifth inning. The double was the lone extra-base hit of the contest for the Bearcats, who went 5-for-22 as a team while leaving six batters on base. Wright State countered with five extra-base hits, including three home runs.

The Bearcats are now 8-7 at Marge Schott Stadium this season as they get set to host the Memphis Tigers for a three-game set this weekend.