Entering the eighth inning trailing by six runs, it appeared that the Bobcats did not have much of a chance to knock off Cincinnati.
Despite this seemingly insurmountable deficit, Ohio scored nine runs over the final two innings, including five in the ninth, to defeat the Bearcats, 16-14.
We didn't have anybody left on the bench and everybody contributed
coach Joe Carbone said. For us it was a total team effort because everybody contributed one way or the other.
After falling behind Cincinnati 11-4 after six innings, the Bobcats (13-20, 2-10 Mid-American Conference) outscored the Bearcats 12-3 over the final three to win their first road game of the season.
Now we cannot have everybody ask us about our lack of road wins Carbone joked. We finally got some balls to fall in for us
and we hung in there longer than they did.
Outfielder Jeremie Rehak led Ohio with three hits and four runs scored. He singled to start the ninth-inning rally for Ohio and scored on a Brandon Besl single that cut the lead to 13-12.
I focused on trying to hit the ball to the left side and using my speed to my advantage
Rehak said. It's awesome ' the whole time
everyone came in the clutch when it mattered most.
Besl finished with two hits and scored the go-ahead run after shortstop Hayden Johnston reached on an error. Johnston added two hits and led the team with four RBI.
Ohio opted to start reliever Adam Goodpasture and use a number of relievers throughout the game, but this system did not prove effective, as five different Bobcat pitchers allowed 14 runs on 16 hits.
Matt Smith took the win for Ohio, pitching the final two innings and allowing one hit, a home run to Cincinnati outfielder Cameron Satterwhite. Satterwhite hit three home runs in the game and had seven RBI for the Bearcats (19-16).
Smith said that he thought Ohio had a chance if he kept the deficit at two runs.
I knew I had to keep the game close
and I realized if I could get us back in the dugout
we would have a chance to come back
Smith said.
I'm proud of the team for battling our way back the whole game despite the ups and downs.
The Bobcats committed five errors while Cincinnati had eight, including two costly errors by second baseman Jamel Scott in the ninth.
The victory also snaps a five-game losing streak for the 'Cats and gives them their first non-conference road victory since February 26, 2006.
Ohio will return to Bob Wren Stadium today following a five-game road trip and will face West Virginia. Pitcher Kurt Smith will make his first start of the season for the Bobcats.
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