Baseball Drops Season Opener to Cincinnati
2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – It was a day in which Miami could not overcome a fast start by Cincinnati, dropping their season-opener in a 3-1 decision to the Bearcats.
The top of the first saw the RedHawks get a runner in scoring position after a two-out walk by Gary Russo and a single by Matt Honchel, however the Red & White were unable to capitalize. In the bottom of the first, Cincinnati hopped on the RedHawks early and scored the game’s first runs, going up 2-0 on a two-out single by Devin Wenzel after two straight hit batters loaded the bases.
The RedHawks threatened again in the top of the second after a leadoff walk put Ryan Elble on base. After two straight fly-outs, Kendall Johnson walked putting runners at first and second but a groundout the next at-bat ended the frame. Again, the Red & White could not take advantage.
Ian Happ got his third of the day, a home run to right field, putting Cincinnati up 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Jacob Banks (L, 0-1) walked the next batter, ending his day with three runs on five hits in four and a third innings pitched. He also recorded seven strikeouts. Brad Schwartz came on in relief, successfully getting the RedHawks out of the inning without any further damage.
The RedHawks finally got on the board in the top of the eighth. Chad Sedio cranked a one-out double down the left field line. After a fly-out, Johnson knocked in Sedio on a two-out single, cutting the Cincinnati lead to 3-1. That would be the last score of the day as Jake Romano singled to left field but was thrown out trying to stretch it into two bases, ending the inning.
Brian Thene saw his first action since 2013 after sitting out 2014 with an injury. He looked sharp, surrendering zero hits in two-thirds of an inning, striking out two. Clay Cinnamon also took the mound in relief for the RedHawks, tossing one inning and giving up just one hit. He had just two appearances in an injury-riddled season in 2014.
Miami wraps up their season-opening series Saturday as they take on Mississippi State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on SEC Network + and WatchESPN.com.
