Facing another consolation game in the Big 12 Tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the Cincinnati Bearcats picked a night to get off to a bad start.
Short on pitching, the Bearcats had to start Michael Conte for the first time this season. Conte has primarily been a relief pitcher, but playing consecutive days in Big 12 games could put a strain on him.
In the first two innings, Texas Tech scored eight runs on six hits off Conte, leading the Red Raiders to a 10-5 victory over the Bearcats.
“I thought Mike pitched pretty well. We had a couple of soft-contact hits, but it just snowballed after that,” UC coach Jordan Bichel said. “As the guys say, we didn't break down or fall apart.”
Actors at the press conference
An emotional Beschel brought reserve players Cole Harting, Shawn Springer and Kameron Guidry into the interview room, none of whom played in the game.
“There are a lot more players who can contribute to this team than I have available,” said Bichel. “We have three players who have contributed a lot to this team, but they didn't have a chance to show what they did this year. They're special people. You may wonder how they did it this year, but it wouldn't have happened without them coming in with a great attitude and enthusiasm.”
Afterwards, Bichel turned to his players and said he didn't know what they meant to him.
“It may not have been what we were used to or what we hoped for, but it was special to be a part of a team like this,” Guidry said. “It's something we've never experienced before or ever imagined.”
The Red Raiders attack early and often.
Gage Harrelson and Damien Bravo each singled to start the game, then Kevin Bazzell hit a ground-rule double to score the first run of the game before Conte recorded an out. Texas Tech never let up on the lead until the end.
The team scored five runs in the first inning and three more in the third to give starting pitcher Ryan Free a comfortable lead for the night. Free gave up four hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings to win the game and lead the 10th-seeded Red Raiders to a win over the fifth-seeded Bearcats.
Bearcat bullpen remains strong even in loss
Behind Conte, Joey Haas, Chase Horst, Drew Erdman and Game 1 starter Nathan Taylor held Texas Tech to just two hits and two runs over the final 7 1/3 innings. But UC managed just five hits on the night, which is bad for winning tournament baseball games.
Jones has arrived
Catcher Alec Jones had a strong game for UC, hitting two home runs and collecting three of UC's five hits. Jones scored four of the team's five runs. The only other players to get hits for the Bearcats were Louden Brooks and Luke Sefcik.
What next?
According to DI Baseball, prior to the game, the UC baseball team had an RPI of 55. That number will likely change with this loss and impact their chances of making the NCAAs.
The Bearcats' 32 wins are their most since a 31-win season in 2019, when they earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament out of the American Athletic Conference.
“It was the best year I've ever had,” Sean Springer said. “I just had a great time with the guys every day.”
Baseball America and DI Baseball had projected UC as one of the “first four teams” in the NCAA Tournament before Thursday night's game in Arlington. Official qualification will be awarded on Memorial Day, May 27.
“This was a year of making a statement and putting Cincinnati on the map a little bit,” Harting said. “This was a group of guys that you never thought would come together, but we came together. We found a way to come together and we found a way to win games.”
