CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Canisius Baseball team dropped the final doubleheader in its series with Cincinnati on Saturday, as the squad fell 7-6 and 4-1, in Cincinnati, Ohio. With the losses, Canisius drops to 3-13 and Cincinnati improves to 5-11.

GAME ONE:

The Griffs attempted to steal a win in the final inning against the Bearcats, mounting a three-run rally in the top of the seventh inning, however the comeback fell short as Cincinnati won the third game of the series 7-6.

The Bearcats offense started fast and furious, scoring six runs in the first three innings, effectively ousting Griffs starter J.P. Stevenson after working three innings, allowing seven hits and six earned runs in the outing.

Jared Kennedy took over and helped stop the bleeding, working two innings and yielding just two hits with one earned run in the outing. Alvin Vega also saw time, working one inning and surrendering no hits and no runs.

Cincinnati went with a pitching by committee approach as five hurlers saw time on the hill. AJ Kullman got the start and pitched two innings and allowed two runs, while Colton Cleary picked up after that, worked 2.2 innings and allowed three hits and one earned run.

Jack Bergen failed to get anyone out as he allowed two hits in his work, while Ross Cameron came on and got the final out of the frame, allowing just one hit and holding the Griffs off the board.

Chris Gang and David Orndorff both worked an inning apiece, with Gang allowing the seventh inning come back but Orndorff closed the door.

Canisius had opportunities in the contest outhitting the Bearcats 11-9, with Jake Lumley and Anthony Massicci both leading the way with three hits and one RBI apiece. Liam Wilson continued his strong series, notching a pair of RBI.

For Cincinnati a trio of Bearcats rapped out a pair of hits apiece, as Joey Thomas, Vince Augustine and Kyle Mottice all had two hits. Thomas and Mottice led the team with two RBI apice.

GAME TWO:

Unlike game three, the Blue and Gold got on the board first, scoring a run in the second inning but the back end of the bullpen let the Griffs down, as Cincinnait won the series finale, 4-1.

Nick Capitano got Canisius on the board, recording a single through the right side to bring home Liam Wilson.

The Griffs pitching staff helped keep that lead until the fourth inning, as starter Andrew Kneussle began the game and worked 4.1 frames, allowing five hits, one earned run and four strikeouts for the Blue and Gold.

Tyler Smith took over midway throught he fourth, as he was saddled with the loss, working 2.0 innings, allowed one hit an done earned run, while Michael Ginther and Mike Elwood combined for the final 1.2 innings, yielded three hits and two earned runs in the losing effort.

A.J. Olasz pitched 5.1 innings in the start and allowed three hits and one run (unearned) and struck out four in the no-decision. Clayton Colvin earned the win as he worked 3.2 innings and allowed just one hit in the winning effort.

Canisius offense was held in check for much of the game, as the Bearcats out hit the Griffs 9-4.

Liam Wilson was strong again, leading the team in hits with two. Two other players had a hit as Jake Lumley and Capitano had hits.

Woody Wallace led the Bearcats in hits in this contest, as he and Cam Alldred had two apiece.

An  A.J. Bumpass homerun knotted the game at 1-1, while a run in the bottom of the seventh gave Cincinnati lead. Two more runs in the bottom of the eighth sealed the deal for the Bearcats, as the team took the game 4-1 and the series 4-0.

The Griffs will be back in action as the squad will play in the Big 5 Baseball Bash in Philadelphia, Pa. Canisius will play La Salle on March 18, Saint Josephs' on March 19 and Villanova on March 20.