Bearcats Fall Just Short in Pitcher's Duel at Jacksonville State
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - One swing was all it took to decide Sunday’s series finale between Cincinnati and Jacksonville State. A second-inning solo homer off the bat of Grayson Ashe proved to be the difference, as the Bearcats dropped a hard-fought 1-0 contest at Jim Case Stadium.
It was a game defined by missed chances and strong pitching on both sides. Despite combining for 21 runners left on base, neither team could consistently cash in. For Cincinnati, it was a frustrating afternoon of close calls and stranded runners.
The Bearcats had a golden opportunity right out of the gate, drawing three walks in the top of the first. But they couldn’t capitalize, and that early momentum quickly faded when Ashe stepped to the plate in the bottom of the second and sent one over the wall to give the Gamecocks the only run they’d need.
Cincinnati’s pitching, however, was a bright spot - particularly from its young arms. Redshirt senior Adam Brouwer got the start in his Bearcats debut, setting the tone before turning things over to a pair of freshmen who looked anything but inexperienced.
Chad Brown, making his collegiate debut, came in during the fourth and immediately showed poise beyond his years. After allowing a runner to reach third, Brown dialed it up and punched out the final two batters of the inning. He went on to toss three scoreless frames, striking out five and keeping Cincinnati within striking distance.
Connor Blue followed with two clean innings of his own, fanning three and giving the Bearcats a chance to rally late. It was a promising look at the future of the UC bullpen - composed, confident, and capable.
Offensively, though, the Bearcats just couldn’t find the timely hit. Sophomore Quinton Coats and freshman Jackson Reardon each notched a single, but that was it for Cincinnati’s hit column. Reardon’s knock came in the fourth - the last hit by either team for the rest of the game.
Junior Jack Natili, meanwhile, managed to get on base in every way imaginable. Though he didn’t record an official at-bat, he walked three times and was hit by a pitch in the seventh. In total, Natili reached base seven times over the weekend - five walks and two HBPs - showing his knack for getting on even when the bats go cold.
The Bearcats made one final push in the ninth. With two outs, Jackson Smith drew a walk to bring the tying run aboard. But Jacksonville State’s bullpen shut the door with a game-ending strikeout.
Now sitting at 2-1 on the young season, Cincinnati heads into a tough midweek matchup under the lights. The Bearcats travel to face No.
9 Auburn on Tuesday night - first pitch is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the game streaming on SEC Network+.
It’s early, but this weekend showed a lot about what this UC team could become. The pitching depth is real, the young talent is already contributing, and the competitive edge is there. Now, it’s about finding ways to finish games like this one - the kind that can define a season.