BUTLER, PA- The third-seeded University of Cincinnati-Clermont Cougars ran their winning streak to 19 straight games, defeating the seventh-seeded Lindenwood University-Belleville Lynx 6-3. The Cougars took advantage of four errors from the Lynx, and combined 11 hits with six stolen bases to hand Lindenwood-Belleville its first loss of the tournament.
The Cougars took advantage of three errors from the Lynx and timely hitting in the first two innings to jump out to a 4-1 lead. Lindenwood-Belleville, with two come from behind victories already in the tournament, began chipping away at the lead with runs in the third and fourth innings. After back-to-back Lynx batsmen reached with one out in the fifth inning, Clermont went to the bullpen and reliever Joey Wahl got the Cougars out of the jam. Cincinnati-Clermont would go on to add two more insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth, and Wahl would hold the Lynx the rest of the way.
Cincinnati-Clermont's first three hitters were a combined 8-12 in the game with five runs scored. John Kennedy went 3-4 with two RBI's on the afternoon. Lindenwood-Belleville was led by Jake Degener, who was 1-2 with an RBI and a walk. Mirek Sharp went 1-2 and added the second Lynx RBI. Michael Sabatino took the loss for Lindenwood, going six innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on eleven hits.
Cincinnati-Clermont advances to face the winner of Selma University versus The Apprentice School at 2:00 PM on Wednesday. Lindenwood-Belleville moves to the loser's bracket where they will take on the winner of Briarcliffe College versus Penn State Greater Allegheny.
-USCAA
