Cincinnati lost a second consecutive game as Ohio State came back in the final innings to win 5-3 on Tuesday night in Columbus. Despite hitting three or more home runs for the ninth time this season, the Bearcats weren’t able to hang on and fell to 28-21 with three games remaining in the regular season.
Alex Shea got the start on the mound for Cincinnati and the left handed sophomore pitched a career-high 4.0 innings with three strikeouts and one run allowed. The Bearcats gave up a RBI double in the second inning but responded with back to back solo shots in the fourth inning from Kerrington Cross and JP Sponseller.
Cincinnati most recently hit back to back home runs on April 3 against East Carolina.
Grab your popcorn. 🍿#Bearcats | #NatiBoyz pic.twitter.com/X2Ndh1bbBz
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) May 18, 2022
Cincinnati Baseball: Bearcats give up late lead at Ohio State
Kameron Guidry added a lead off home run in the fifth to extend Cincinnati’s advantage to 3-1. Ohio State eventually answered with two runs in the sixth and seventh innings to regain the advantage. Graduate pitcher Ryan Steckline gave up both runs in the sixth inning and was replaced before recording an out in the seventh.
Sophomore right hander Zach Segal proceeded to pitch two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit and one walk but it was too late as the Bearcats offense failed to score in the last four frames. Steckline dropped to 3-1 with the loss. Sponseller went 2/2 with a home run and two walks at the plate.
RECAP: Cincinnati Hits Three Homers in Loss to Ohio State https://t.co/blknW8G2wh
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE) May 18, 2022
Cross also continued to play well as his redshirt freshman season comes to a close, while Guidry picked up his sixth hit in the last five outings. Cincinnati will have a day off before returning to the field on Thursday evening against Central Florida. With less than a week until the AAC Tournament begins, the Bearcats hope to create momentum with a trip to Orlando.