University of Cincinnati Bearcats baseball opened its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament with a decisive win over Louisiana, 12-2, in Starkville, Miss. on May 29.
The game started with a weather delay of a little over an hour and ended in rain, but for a second straight year, UC won the opening game of its NCAA regional.
That moves the No. 2 seed Bearcats into a Saturday night game with the top seed, Mississippi State. The Bulldogs last lost at Dudy Noble Field in May when Auburn run-ruled them May 9 to take two of three games.
Big night for Cincinnati Bearcats catcher Jack Natili
Junior catcher Jack Natili belted three homers and a double for the Bearcats, who slammed six baseballs out of the park. Joining Natili with round-trippers were freshman Enzo Infelise, redshirt sophomore Charlie Niehaus and redshirt freshman Ryan Tyranski.
“It’s a really calm feeling, just that ‘flow state,” Natili told ESPN+ about his three dingers. “I can’t really describe it. It’s kind of crazy. I’m just not trying to do too much and letting the pitch dictate it. It worked out really well tonight.”
Five of UC’s runs came in the fourth inning on six straight hits with two outs against Louisiana starter Cody Brasch. Brasch was seemingly cruising outside of a Natili solo shot in the second inning, but wound up allowing eight hits (four homers) and seven runs to take the loss.
On the other side, it may not have been starting pitcher Nathan Taylor’s best night as he walked four, but the UC ace allowed just two hits and a run over six innings, striking out three in the win.
Dominic Mauro, Adam Brouwer and Joel Pineiro finished innings seven through nine, respectively, for the Bearcats on the mound.
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive play of the game
In the top of the fourth, Taylor had walked two and was close to loading the bases. Donovan LaSalle flew to deep center with both runners tagging on the play. UC sophomore Derrick Pitts chased down the fly and gunned down the runner at second, Drew Markle, with a strike to Jackson Smith. It was the rare 8-4 double play. Taylor got out of the inning and UC’s offense added a 5-spot in their next at-bat to pull away from Louisiana.
“The plays are spectacular, the greatest outfield plays I’ve ever seen,” Natili said. “The energy he brings is paramount. He really gets the guys going. He’s kind of the centerpiece of all of our antics.”
Who is up next for Cincinnati Bearcats in Starkville Regional?
It’s been over 11 years since a UC Bearcats baseball team played the home nine in Starkville, but they’ll get a crack at the Bulldogs under the lights.
The 2015 UC Bearcats were swept by Mississippi State Feb. 13-15, 2015, 6-2, 19-5 and 16-7. Future major leaguers Ryan Noda (Orioles) and Ian Happ (Cubs) were part of the Bearcats lineup. In each game, UC took an early lead but failed to capitalize.
Mississippi State is now 41-17 after blitzing Lipscomb of the Atlantic Sun 10-1 in Friday’s early game. Lipscomb drops to 29-25.
“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Natili said.
Saturday’s game vs. Mississippi State will be at 9 p.m. (Eastern) on ESPN+. A Saturday win would move the Bearcats to the 8 p.m. (Eastern) game Sunday, May 31. A loss would put them in the 3 p.m. game of the double-elimination tournament.
Cincinnati Bearcats, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns run summary
Top 1st – Noah Lewis walked with one out. Lee Amadee singled to right and a two-base error by Ryan Tyranski in right allowed Lewis to score. Louisiana 1-0.
Bottom 2nd – UC’s Jack Natili ties the game with a solo shot to left. 1-1.
Bottom 4th – With two outs, Natili doubled. Enzo Infelise hit a two-run homer to dead center. Cal Sefcik singled and Christian Mitchelle tripled him in. Charlie Niehaus with a two-run shot makes it 6-1.
Bottom 5th – Ryan Tyranski homered. Quinton Coats walked and Natili hit his second home of the night. 9-1 UC.
Bottom 6th – After a Jackson Smith double, Coats singled to make it 10-1.
Top 7th – Maddux Mondino singled in Donovan LaSalle. 10-2 UC.
Bottom 8th – After a Coats walk, Natili hit his third homer. 12-2 UC.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats baseball gets 3 homers from Jack Natili to beat Louisiana
Reporting by Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
