Cincinnati Open NCAA Tournament with 11-6 win over Wake Forest

Cincinnati made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2019 and opened with a bang. 

The Bearcats scored eight runs through the first two innings, including a six-run second inning, as they cruised to an 11-6 win over the No. 2 seed Wake Forest. 

Landyn Vidourek returned to the leadoff spot after dealing with an oblique injury the past few weeks and went 2-for-4, including two stolen bases to help get the Bearcats going. 

Freshman Derrick Pitta drove in four runs and finished the day 2-for-5 to lead Cincinnati. Pitts' two-run homer in the top of the second inning extended the UC lead to 8-0. 

After Wake Forest cut the UC lead to 8-4, Donovan Ford extended the UC lead to 10-4 with a two-rub homerun in the top of the fifth inning. Ford finished the day 2-for-5. 

Sophomore ace Nate Taylor went six innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, along with five strikeouts. 

With the win, UC advances in the winner's bracket of the Knoxville regional. They will face the winner of Tennessee and Miami (OH) Saturday night at 6pm.