Thursday, May 18
Houston, Texas
6:30 PM
University of Houston
31-21, 0
7
vs
12
Cincinnati
24-29, 0
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Cincinnati
0
1
0
0
2
6
2
0
1
12
12
0
Houston
0
0
0
0
3
0
2
2
0
7
12
1
Late Rally Not Enough for Cougars
5/18/2023 11:39:00 PM | Baseball
Houston drops series opener 12-7 against Cincinnati
HOUSTON – A late inning rally was not enough as the Houston baseball team dropped its first game against Cincinnati 12-7 on Thursday evening at Schroeder Park.
Houston (31-21, 15-6) surged for five runs late in the game but ultimately took the loss as junior starting pitcher Josh Ekness worked 5.0 innings retiring nine batters for his third loss of the season. Cincinnati (24-29, 10-12) held on as Garrett Harker (2-5) took his second decision of the season and Max Bergmann posted his second save.
Game Highlights:
5th | After knocking a home run in the top of the second, Cincinnati added to its lead bringing across two more runners in the top of the fifth. After a scoreless four innings, the Cougars found their momentum in the bottom half inning. After both senior outfielder Brandon Uhse and junior third baseman Zach Arnold drew walks, senior utility player Justin Murray came to the plate. The American Conference batting leader laced a double into left field allowing two runs to score to tie the game at 3-3.
6th | The sixth inning proved to be the nail in the coffin as Cincinnati brought across six runs including a grand slam for a 9-3 lead.
7th | After the Bearcats tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh, Houston answered with its own two runs in the bottom of the inning. A Cameron Nickens single to right field brought Uhse home after the senior had doubled earlier in the inning. After junior catcher Anthony Tulimero walked, junior utility player Alex Lopez singled up the middle as Nickens slid home making the score 11-5.
8th | Houston again closed the deficit with a two-run inning in the bottom of the eighth. A bases loaded single from Murray scored Bianco before Uhse crossed home on a double play to push the score to 11-7.
9th | The Bearcats scored the final run of the game in the top of the ninth solidifying the 12-7 win.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars will compete in the second game of the series on Friday night with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. Houston will honor two of its five seniors Ian McMillan and Drew Bianco during the game.
Friday is Fan Friday with tickets as low as $7. Fans can purchase a hot dog, chips and a soda for just $8 at the concession stand.
Come out for Kids Day and Family Day at the ballpark on Saturday. Kids (12 and under) may run the bases postgame and use inflatables in-game on site. Fans can take advantage of a $5 hot dog and soda deal at concessions.
TICKETS ON SALE
Houston Baseball flex plan packs and single-game tickets are on sale for the 2023 season. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 713-G0-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
Fans are invited to join The Dugout Club to directly support Houston Baseball. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following UHCougarBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarbb.
– UHCougars.com –
Houston (31-21, 15-6) surged for five runs late in the game but ultimately took the loss as junior starting pitcher Josh Ekness worked 5.0 innings retiring nine batters for his third loss of the season. Cincinnati (24-29, 10-12) held on as Garrett Harker (2-5) took his second decision of the season and Max Bergmann posted his second save.
Game Highlights:
- Josh Ekness struck out a season-high nine batters in his 5.0 inning appearance.
- Cameron Nickens, Brandon Burckel and Drew Bianco all drew hit by pitches' bringing the season total to 62 and moving the Cougars single-season rank to No. 4 all-time. It is the first time since 2015 that Houston has accomplished the feat. Bianco and Burckel also move to No. 8 individually in a single-season with 12 each.
- Brandon Uhse's two stolen bases during the game moved Houston to 100 stolen bases on the season. That mark ranks No. 7 all-time in the Houston single-season record books.
- With the loss, Houston is now 0.5 games behind East Carolina for the top position in the American Athletic Conference standings.
- Brandon Uhse: 2-4, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB, 2 SB
- Justin Murray: 2-5, R, 3 RBI, 2B
5th | After knocking a home run in the top of the second, Cincinnati added to its lead bringing across two more runners in the top of the fifth. After a scoreless four innings, the Cougars found their momentum in the bottom half inning. After both senior outfielder Brandon Uhse and junior third baseman Zach Arnold drew walks, senior utility player Justin Murray came to the plate. The American Conference batting leader laced a double into left field allowing two runs to score to tie the game at 3-3.
6th | The sixth inning proved to be the nail in the coffin as Cincinnati brought across six runs including a grand slam for a 9-3 lead.
7th | After the Bearcats tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh, Houston answered with its own two runs in the bottom of the inning. A Cameron Nickens single to right field brought Uhse home after the senior had doubled earlier in the inning. After junior catcher Anthony Tulimero walked, junior utility player Alex Lopez singled up the middle as Nickens slid home making the score 11-5.
8th | Houston again closed the deficit with a two-run inning in the bottom of the eighth. A bases loaded single from Murray scored Bianco before Uhse crossed home on a double play to push the score to 11-7.
9th | The Bearcats scored the final run of the game in the top of the ninth solidifying the 12-7 win.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars will compete in the second game of the series on Friday night with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. Houston will honor two of its five seniors Ian McMillan and Drew Bianco during the game.
Friday is Fan Friday with tickets as low as $7. Fans can purchase a hot dog, chips and a soda for just $8 at the concession stand.
Come out for Kids Day and Family Day at the ballpark on Saturday. Kids (12 and under) may run the bases postgame and use inflatables in-game on site. Fans can take advantage of a $5 hot dog and soda deal at concessions.
TICKETS ON SALE
Houston Baseball flex plan packs and single-game tickets are on sale for the 2023 season. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 713-G0-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB
Fans are invited to join The Dugout Club to directly support Houston Baseball. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following UHCougarBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarbb.
– UHCougars.com –
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Harker, G. (2-5)
L: Ekness, Josh (2-3)
S: Bergmann, M. (2)
Batting:
HR: Nicholson, R 1 ; O'Connor, T. 1
RBI: Hegemann, J. 1 ; Cross, K. 2 ; Nicholson, R 4 ; O'Connor, T. 1 ; Hugus, G. 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Hegemann, J. 2 ; Cross, K. 1 ; Nicholson, R 1 ; O'Connor, T. 1 ; Jones, A. 2 ; Guidry, K. 2 ; Springer, S. 2 ; Hugus, G. 1
SB: Hegemann, J. 1 ; Cross, K. 1 ; Nicholson, R 1 ; Jones, A. 1 ; Hugus, G. 1
HBP: Jones, A. 1
Batting:
2B: Uhse, Brandon 1 ; Murray, Justin 1 ; Burckel, Brandon 1
RBI: Murray, Justin 3 ; Nickens, Cameron 2 ; Lopez, Alex 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Uhse, Brandon 3 ; Arnold, Zach 1 ; Murray, Justin 1 ; Nickens, Cameron 1 ; Bianco, Drew 1
SB: Uhse, Brandon 2
HBP: Nickens, Cameron 1 ; Burckel, Brandon 1 ; Bianco, Drew 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
3
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Baseball
UTL
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
UTL
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballUTL
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
C
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