Published: May 21, 2008 02:07 am            

WVU bows to Cincinnati, 11-5, in Big East tournament

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Rightfielder Cameron Satterwhite went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run as No. 2 seed Cincinnati defeated No. 7 seed West Virginia 11-5 in Game 3 of the Big East Baseball Championship tournament Tuesday at Bright House Field.

Cincinnati (37-19) moves on to a winners’ bracket game Wednesday at 8 p.m. against either USF or Notre Dame. West Virginia (34-20) will play an elimination game at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Leftfielder Jamel Scott was the other Cincinnati player with multiple hits as he provided a 2-for-4 outing with a pair of runs scored.

The Bearcats jumped out to an early lead early as Josh Harrison’s RBI single to right brought home Scott from second to put Cincinnati on the board, and Ryan Baker delivered a two-run single to make it 3-0 after one. The Bearcats added to that cushion when the first five hitters of the second inning reached base, including a bases-loaded triple by third baseman Mike Spina that made it 7-0.

The Mountaineers got on the board in the third inning on Justin Parks’ solo home run and they threatened to keep it close with a three-run fourth inning. First baseman Joe Agreste smacked a two-run single and took second on the throw to the plate. That allowed Agreste to score on Austin Markel’s double, making it 7-4.

Cincinnati answered in the bottom of the fourth, however, when Harrison reached on a fielder’s choice and rightfielder Satterwhite hit his 14th home run of the season to make it 9-4.

West Virginia again cut into the deficit in the seventh inning as Austin Markel reached on an error and advanced to third on Dan DiBartolomeo’s double down the leftfield line. Parks followed with a sacrifice fly to close the deficit to four runs at 9-5.

Cincinnati again had an answer, however, as Satterwhite walked and advanced to third on defensive interference before scoring on a wild pitch. Ryan Baker reached on an error and would come around to score on a Tyler Goodro single to make it 11-5

The Bearcats collected 10 hits and WVU nine.

Cincinnati starting pitcher Dan Osterbrock picked up the win after going 8.2 innings with seven strikeouts, allowing five runs and one walk in improving to 9-2. Harrison, a day removed from being named Big East co-Player of the Year, scored three runs and registered his 30th stolen base of the season.

West Virginia starter Matt Yurish lasted just one inning and allowed seven runs (six earned) before departing after facing four batters in the second. Billy Gross provided 6.2 innings of solid relief, allowing the Mountaineers to stay within reach. Mountaineer first baseman Joe Agreste was 2-for-4 at the dish with a run scored and a pair of RBIs.

In earlier first-round games Tuesday, No. 8 Villanova upset No. 1 St. John’s 12-0 in seven innings and No .4 Louisville whipped Seton Hall 12-3.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.