UC Jumps Out To Early Lead, Holds On To Trip Miami

CINCINNATI, Ohio (April 5, 2000) -- Cincinnati scored runs in each of the first four innings and cruised to a 7-3 win over Miami University on April 5 at Johnny Bench Field. Junior Kevin Wilson (Yardley, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) led the hit parade with a career-high four hits as UC tallied 14 hits on the afternoon.

The RedHawks (19-8) struck first when Brady Nori hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give Miami (OH) a 1-0 lead. The Bearcats (20-9) stormed back with a Ryan Minges (Hamilton, Ohio/Ross Senior) solo homer in the bottom of the inning and struck again in the second with four runs, including back-to-back homers by Mark Belcher (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard) and Brad Schutz (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield). Schutz's slam was the first of his career.

Senior Mike Heis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) and four relievers made the lead hold up. Heis allowed a pair of runs and four hits over his five innings on the mound to pick up his second win of the year. Junior Curtus Moak (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) saw his first action on the mound since March 12 when he retired the final two hitters to get out of a two-on, one-out jam in the seventh. Moak struck out one and did not allow a hit in his only inning of work.

Wilson's 4-for-5 performance was one of four multiple-hit games put up by UC. Schutz, junior Matt Singer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) and sophomore Nate Fish (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) also registered two hits apiece.

Jeremy Ison was 2-for-3 with a double and a home run, while Joe Spain came off the bench to go 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles for Miami (OH). Relievers Tim Wagner, Chris Leonard and Billy Kieninger combined to hurl four innings of shutout ball to keep the RedHawks within striking distance.

The RedHawks will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Central Michigan for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m..