Cincy on the Prowl
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Cincinnati Baseball: Player grades from season-ending loss to Tulane

By Charles Post

Cincinnati players pause prior to their game with Xavier. Getty Images.
Cincinnati players pause prior to their game with Xavier. Getty Images. /
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The Bearcats lost to Tulane 13-5 in the elimination round of the AAC Tournament last night. Despite the season coming to an end, Cincinnati had a few players with notable performances. Ryan Nicholson stepped up with several patient at bats and Tommy O’Connor picked up his first career strikeout in the loss.

Here are a couple player grades from the season-ending loss.

Ryan Nicholson Player Grade: A

3 hits, 3 RBI, 1 home run in 4 at bats

Nicholson was by far the most productive hitter against Tulane, racking up three hits and three RBI including a double, home run and walk. The Bearcats trailed 9-0 in the fourth inning before he blasted a 2-run homer to right field to cut the deficit to 9-2. The first baseman went 5/8 in the AAC Tournament and finished his sophomore season with 12 home runs.

Dondrae Bremner Player Grade: B

1 hit, 1 run, 2 RBI in 3 at bats

A couple innings after Nicholson got the Bearcats on the scoreboard, Dondrae Bremner connected on a 2-run shot of his own to cap his Bearcats career on a high note. The senior infielder came into pinch hit for shortstop Kameron Guidry in the sixth inning and finished with one hit and two RBI in three plate appearances.

Bremner had four home runs in his senior year.

Tommy O’Connor Player Grade: B-

3 earned runs, 5 strikeouts in 3.0 innings pitched

O’Connor replaced relief pitcher Max Bergmann in the fifth inning and almost immediately recorded the first strikeout of his career. The freshman left hander went onto strike out the side with a series of accurate and decisive pitches. In three innings of work, O’Connor totaled five strikeouts and allowed three earned runs and four hits.

Alex Shea Player Grade: D+

3 walks, 4 earned runs in 1.0 innings pitched

Scott Googins needed his starting pitcher to be on target in order to eliminate Tulane but Alex Shea simply didn’t have it in the blowout loss. The sophomore lefty barely got out of the first inning, giving up four earned runs, four hits and three walks before Bergmann came out of the bullpen. Shea finished the disappointing season 0-4 with an 8.59 ERA.