LA JOLLA, Calif.—UC San Diego baseball defeated No. 23 Cincinnati, 4-3, in game one of the weekend series on Thursday evening in Triton Ballpark. The Tritons (5-3) secured their second walk-off victory in three games, scoring two runs against the Bearcats (4-4) in the bottom of the ninth inning.
 
Gabe Camacho stood out for the Tritons with his first home run for UC San Diego, while Michael Crossland also made an impact by getting on base with a hit and a walk. True freshman Garrett Davidson secured the walk-off victory with his first collegiate hit, a two-RBI double as a pinch hitter. Emiliano Gonzalez was credited with two of the Tritons four runs scored in the contest.
 
On the pitching side, Jake Villar delivered a strong performance over 3.2 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three and issuing four walks. Sam Hasegawa (2-0) was effective on the mound, pitching three innings without giving up a run and striking out three batters to earn the victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons faced off against the Bearcats in a closely contested game, with Cincinnati striking first with a solo home run in the top of the first. In the fifth inning, the Tritons capitalized on a series of plays to score their first run. Crossland walked and advanced on an error, setting up the opportunity for Gonzalez to score on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Leopard, tying the game at 1-1. This inning marked a shift in momentum for the Tritons, despite the run being unearned.
 
The sixth inning saw the Tritons take the lead with a solo home run by Camacho to right center, bringing the score to 2-1. This home run was crucial in establishing a lead after a series of scoreless innings. The defense held firm in the subsequent innings, preventing any further runs from the Bearcats.
 
In the seventh inning, Cincinnati managed to reclaim the lead with two runs, making the score 3-2. Hasegawa came in with the bases loaded and no outs, forcing a double-play ground-out that scored a run and allowing an RBI single before securing a strikeout to limit the damage. Hasegawa left the bases loaded once again for the Bearcats in the eighth, forcing a second double-play ground-out. Cincinnati was retired in order, including two strikeouts for Hasegawa, to give UC San Diego one last chance in the ninth.
 
Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk and Delshaun Lanier was hit by a pitch, both advancing on a sacrifice bunt by Patrick Hackworth. Davidson then delivered a decisive double off the wall in right field, driving in two runs and securing the victory for the Tritons with a final score of 4-3. This clutch hit was particularly noteworthy as it was Davidson's first collegiate hit, underscoring his contribution to the team's success. 
 
This late-game rally highlighted the Tritons' ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and close out the game successfully. It marked the second walk-off for the Tritons in three games, demonstrating their knack for dramatic finishes.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• The win marked the Tritons first victory over a ranked opponent since taking two of three in the series with No. 12 UC Irvine last season.
• Nic Gregson made his season debut, getting the start on the mound for the Tritons.
• Sophomore transfer Gabe Camacho knocked his first home run in a Triton uniform in the contest.
• It was the second walk-off victory for the Tritons in three games, after scoring three runs in the ninth to defeat California Baptist, 9-8 (Feb. 22). 
• The Tritons are 3-1 in one-run games this season.
• UC San Diego is 1-0 in the all-time series with Cincinnati.

UP NEXT
The Tritons will continue the four-game series with No. 23 Cincinnati on Friday at 6 p.m. in Triton Ballpark. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live statistics will be available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
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About UC San Diego Athletics 
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.