Despite being outhit, the Cougars offense proved to be clutch although it overcame an interesting Cincinnati’s ninth-inning rally.
Still, the Cougars hung on and bagged the rubber game by beating the Cincinnati Bearcats, 8-4 at Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park on Saturday evening.
Cougars reliever Brian Randall struggled in the ninth inning, surrendering a walk to shortstop Joey Bellini, second baseman Wyatt Stapp followed with a single, and catcher Mitch Holding was hit by a pitch to load the bases. That set up A.J. Bumpass’ two run-scoring double in the gap to left-center, making the score, 8-4, favoring the Cougars.
The Cougars won the series, 2-1. The loss came in game one, 3-2.
The threat continued with runners on second and third. Shawn Bretz relieved Randall and recorded the last two outs of the game when first baseman Griffin Merritt and Cole Murphy flew out.
The Cougars (24-6, 8-7) began its offensive surge in the bottom of the second inning when third baseman Jared Triolo’s two-RBI single gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead. Houston worked Bearcats pitcher Garrett Schoenle, earning two walks, shortstop Kobe Hyland took a pitch to the back and a base hit.
Cougars’ Devon Roedahl (6-2) got the win, and Sean Bretz picked up his first save. Jared Triolo finished 3-of-4 at the plate with 3-RBIs. Tyler Bielamowicz (2-of-5) and Grayson Padgett (2-of-3) collect two hits each.
In the top of the third, the Bearcats trim the lead in half when center fielder Jeremy Johnson led off with a double. One out later, shortstop Bellini drove in Johnson, making the score, 2-1.
Cincinnati (18-21, 8-7) outhit the Cougars, 11-8 but had trouble delivering clutch hits with runners on base.
Back on offense, Houston answered the Bearcats by building a 4-1 lead. Rey Fuentes got aboard with a walk. Padgett singled to right field and Bielamowicz drove in Fuentes with a soft looper behind third base.
After Kobe Hyland drew a walk, Clayton Colvin came on to relieve Schoenie with the bases loaded. Colvin managed to get an out when Kyle Lovelace laid a drag bunt down the third-base side, which was fielded by third baseman Eric Santiago, who threw to home plate to get the force out.
However, Brad Burckel’s infield single gave the Cougars a 4-1 lead.
Houston kept the pressure, scoring three runs in the sixth and one in the seventh as it led, 8-2.
