Cincinnati sweeps Tulane in AAC series opening doubleheader

Green Wave surrendered a five-run lead in game two to suffer a twinbill sweep

The Tulane University baseball team suffered an 11-8 setback in the second game of its doubleheader matchup with the University of Cincinnati on Thursday inside the UC Baseball Stadium.

The Green Wave tied a season-high with three home runs, but it was not enough in the first game of the day, a 10-6 decision for the Bearcats.

With the losses, Tulane dropped to 28-20 on the year and 17-8 in American Athletic Conference action. The Green Wave’s doubleheader loss marked the first time this season Tulane had been swept in a twinbill matchup this spring.

Coming off the defeat in Game 1, Tulane came out firing, as it plated runs in three of the first four innings, scoring one run in the first, one in the second and four in the fourth inning to open up a commanding 6-1 lead.

All four of the Green Wave’s runs in the fourth inning came with two outs in the frame. Sophomore Collin Burns and freshmen Jacob LaPrairie and Chase Engelhard highlighted the inning, as they collected back-to-back-to-back hits.

Cincinnati responded as it began to chip away at Tulane’s lead, scoring one run in the fifth, two in the sixth and then took the lead in the seventh inning thanks to a three-run home run by junior Griffin Merritt.

Tulane threatened in the top of the eighth, as the Green Wave put the tying run in scoring position with one out, but were unable to even the score.

The Bearcats added to their lead in the eighth inning, as they plated two more runs to take an 11-8 advantage. In the top of the ninth, the Green Wave went down in order, as the Bearcats secured the win to move to 27-24 on the year.

Junior Jack Aldrich got the start for Tulane and worked 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run. He also struck out six and walked only one. Despite the solid start, Aldrich did not figure into the decision as he made his team-best 13th start on the year.

Cincinnati’s Beau Keathley picked up the win for the Bearcats after he came on in relief and tossed 2.2 innings of one-hit ball. He also struck out three batters and moved to 2-3 on the year.

Offensively for the Green Wave, Burns led the way going 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI. Engelhard and junior Trevor Minder also chipped in with two RBI apiece.

In Game 1, junior Luis Aviles, sophomore Collin Burns and freshman Chase Engelhard all slugged home runs for the Green Wave. The Tulane trio are all tied for the team lead with seven home runs on the year.

Junior Braden Olthoff got the start for the Green Wave, but suffered the loss and fell to 5-3 on the year. The California native was touched up for eight runs and allowed 10 hits on the afternoon. Despite the tough start for the right-hander, Olthoff battled through 5.0 innings.

Cincinnati took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, as Joe Powell delivered an RBI infield single. The big blow of the game came later in the second inning, as Cincinnati’s Jace Mercer drilled a grand slam over the left field wall to give the Bearcats a 5-0 lead.

Tulane fought back two innings later thanks to an RBI single by junior Frankie Niemann to make the count 5-1. Cincinnati responded two innings later thanks to a three-run home run by Ryan Nicholson to make the score 8-1.

The Green Wave would not go away easily, as they scored one run in the sixth, one in the seventh, two in the eighth and one in the ninth, but Tulane was not able to overcome the early deficit.

As a team, Tulane collected 10 hits. The Green Wave have drilled 10-or-more hits in 22 games this season. Cincinnati was equally impressive at the plate, as they collected 13 hits. Four of the Bearcats’ 13 hits left the yard.

Cincinnati’s Garrett Schoenle earned the Game 1 win for the Bearcats and improved to 6-3 on the year.

UP NEXT
Tulane returns to action on Friday as it takes on Cincinnati in game three of the series. First pitch is set for Noon. Game three will be aired live on ESPN+ and can be heard on the radio by tuning into WRBH 88.3 FM.