CINCINNATI, Ohio - Despite a four-run seventh inning, the Golden Grizzlies fell, 9-6, in its tune up against the Bearcats tonight at the UC Baseball Stadium.
 
The Golden Grizzlies (3-4, 0-0 HL) were led by Aidan Orr who batted in a pair of runners off of two hits, including one double. Reggie Bussey was lethal at the dish and on the base pads as he knocked down a double and a triple, and stole a pair of bases.
 
The Bearcats (4-4, 0-0 BIG 12) saw Lauden Brooks knock in three runners off a double and a single as seven batters recorded at least a hit.
 
Lucas Day grabbed the first hit for the Golden Grizzlies, but it was the Bearcats who tallied the first run of the game off a home run. Cincinnati wasn't done there, as it tallied a two-run home run in the same inning to widen its lead to 3-0. Oakland nearly knocked in its first run as Bussey smacked down a one-out double, followed by an Ian Cleary single down the third base line to put runners on the corner. Brandon Nigh worked up to a full count and drew a walk to juice the bases with two outs, but the Bearcats worked itself out of the jam without a Golden Grizzly run scored.
 
The Bearcats kept it rolling in the third and rallied with two outs and sent one home before it loaded up the bases. The team worked out of the inning though and only allowed that one run as a pop up ended the frame.
 
The Golden Grizzlies found itself in a bases loaded opportunity once again, but this time took advantage of it as two singles and a hit by pitch put the runners on. Bussey came up to bat and put one towards second as the team couldn't turn two as Brandon Heidal crossed the plate. The base running of Bussey kept it going as he stole second which forced a throwing error as Orr, who was 90 feet from home, took advantage of the opportunity and stole home.
 
Cincinnati grew its lead back to four in the fifth after a triple sent two home but kept the runner on third at bay with two-straight outs. The Bearcats made it difficult for Oakland to try and come back as its defense came up with a one, two, three inning in the sixth and added another pair to end the inning.
 
Oakland put up a fight and tried to claw back into the game as Bussey once again worked the base pads and made his way towards second off a walk and steal. He eventually made his way towards home following a single and sacrifice fly, as Trent Rice and Nigh were on the corners with one out.
 
Day sent Rice home on a fielder's choice as Heidal delivered the next at-bat with a double. Orr was due up with two outs and two on and took advantage of the opportunity as he matched Heidal's double with one of its own to knock in two more and make the comeback more obtainable, down just two runs with six outs left.
 
Another run from the Bearcats was tacked on in the eighth as Oakland had three outs to make its comeback. The tying runner came up to the plate after Heidal and Orr each reached a base, but came up short as Cincinnati ended it with a strikeout to take the game, 9-6.
 
Oakland knocked down 10 hits as Cincinnati nearly beat them in the category with one more hit. The Golden Grizzlies left 11 runners on the base pads while Cincinnati left nine, while each team committed an error. Between three pitchers, the Golden Grizzlies struck out nine as 11 Oakland batters were struck out.
 
The Golden Grizzlies return to the diamond tomorrow for its first game of a weekend series at Miami (Ohio), with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m.