The Ultimate Teammate The Jack Twyman-Maurice Stokes Story Comes To Light At UC

In a cold in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 6'7" inch, 235 pound, Maurice Stokes, who was on the verge of becoming the National Basketball Association's first black American super star.

Stokes and Minneapolis Laker star, Vern Mikkelsen, 6'7" 230 pounds collided under the basket as Stokes drove in for a layup. Stokes was knocked unconscious when his head struck the court. He was revived with smelling salts. There were no concussion protocols on March 12, 1958 the night of the collision. It was the last day of the regular season and the newly relocated Cincinnati Royals qualified for the playoffs.

Stokes scored 12 points and collected 15 rebounds just slightly below his season average.

According to teammate Dave Piontek, a Xavier University, graduate, his teammates didn't think a lot of the injury until he collapsed on the flight back to Cincinnati.

“After the game,” Piontek said, “Mo said he didn’t feel well. Still, none of us thought too much about it.” 

Stokes had a late snack across the street from the Sheraton-Cadillac, and, like most of his teammates, had a couple of beers with his meal. On the bus ride to the airport, though, he again complained of feeling ill. 

“We opened the window for him so he could get some air,” Piontek said, “and we didn’t have time to do anything. Rickie Regan and Dick Ricketts and I literally carried Mo onto the plane.”

Stokes was settled in a seat in the rear of the plane. “Some of the fellows thought maybe he had a little too much beer,” Piontek said. “You know, the last game of the season and all that. And they were staying away from him so he wouldn’t be too conspicuous. You know, the owners of the team (the Harrison brothers, Jack and Les) were on the plane. And so was Maurice Podoloff, the president of the league.”

It wasn’t long after the take-off that Stokes again vomited. His breathing became labored. “I knew then that it was more than an upset stomach,” Miss Phillips recalls. That’s when she began giving him oxygen. 

“By now,” she said, “we were too far away to return to Detroit. We knew, too, that there was a hospital near the Greater Cincinnati airport. So we radioed ahead to have an ambulance waiting.“

Stokes was carried off the plane to the waiting ambulance, which rushed him to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Covington, Ky., just across the river from Cincinnati. “I’ll never forget that sight,” Piontek said. “Mo was dripping perspiration. It had soaked all the way through his suit.”

Later, as many as 15 ice packs were applied to Stokes’ body in an effort to reduce his temperature. Pepper Wilson will never forget Stokes’ early days in St. Elizabeth’s. “It really shook you up,” he said, “to see a fellow like Stokes lying there helpless, not being able to even talk or move. He wanted to ‘get to you’ but he couldn’t. And when he realized this, tears came into his eyes. It really shook a guy up.”

During those early days, Stokes was fed with tubes leading into each nostril. There was another tube in his mouth to handle the saliva. And a fourth tube was placed in his neck to enable him to breathe. His weight dipped below 200 pounds. 

A flight attended probably preserved Stoke's life by administering oxygen. When the plane landed in Northern Kentucky, Stokes was rushed to St. Elizabeth Hospital until he could be moved to Good Samaratin Hospital in Clifton.

This is where former Bearcat, Jack Twyman, entered the picture. Twyman looked after Stokes, who could not talk or raise his arms. Twyman became his legal guardian with the permission of Stokes family in Pennsylvania. Twyman was also a native of the Pittsburgh area.

Twyman raised money for Stokes and eventually organized an NBA all-star game for Stokes' benefit. A pro-am golf tournament including NBA players was also organized to help Stokes. Even today the event goes to help other NBA players in need.

Twyman helped Stokes obtain workers compensation benefits and taught him how to communicate by blinking his eyes. Later, when Stokes had advanced enough to type, his first message was, "Dear Jack, How can I ever thank you?"

Twyman played 11 years in the NBA. He and Wilt Chamberlain were the first two players to average 20-points a game. His number 27 has been retired by both the University of Cincinnati and the Sacramento Kings, who is the same franchise as the Rochester/Cincinnati Royals.

Stokes died in 1970, spending 12 years as a quadriplegic.

Twyman accepted on Stokes' behalf when he was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.

"You made it big fella," Twyman said.

In 2013, the NBA announced the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award, one year after Twyman's death in 2012 at the age of 78 from blood cancer. The tribute also honors the Barett Cancer Center at UC.

"That's what friends are for," a humble Twyman once said about his caring for his teammate. "We learned a lot from him. We are honored to have the opportunity to be associated with him."

Twyman's son Jay and daughters Julie, Lisa and Michelle were present during halftime of the Bearcats 86-49 win over Nichols State.

Wes Miller, the Bearcats' head coach revealed that Jay Twyman addressed the team this week.

"I hope that someone in this room gets honored in the Naismith Hall of Fame like Jay's dad was but all of us should aspire to be the teammate his dad was. That's even greater."

Miller learned the story since he took over the job at UC four years ago.

"I wasn't familiar at all when I got the job here," Miller said. "I heard of the Twyman-Stokes award and probably heard of the Stokes' Twyman name but I didn't understand the story or know anything about it. I was fortunate and learned a lot about Cincinnati and Cincinnati basketball since I've been here. I was fortunate to learn that story. I thought it was incredibly touching. I was shocked that someone that is passionate about basketball, that I didn't know. If I didn't know, I don't know how many people have heard of it or was unaware of it. This is a great step in the right direction. It's a story that's well beyond basketball, right? It is a story of real friendship; being a great teammate, taking that to the ultimate level. There's a lot more to it."

"It is something regardless of whether you love basketball or sports, any one can relate to this story of humanity. We will continue to try to bring light to that. One of the main characters of this story happens to have his jersey retired here. We talk about being great teammates. That's the example right there of being what a great teammate is."

 

The Nightmare At Nippert Dooms The Bearcats As They Fall Hard To West Virginia

The Cincinnati Bearcats started fast but turned over the footall on two key possessions to fall to the West Virginia Mountaineers 31-24

The Bearcats had driven to the West Virginia 23-yard line with a seven point lead and a little over 12 minutes to play in the first half.

It was then the nightmare at Nippert began.

Just missing a first down on a four yard run by Corey Kiner, the Bearcats quarterback was scrambling out of the pocker and about to be tackled by Kekoura Tarnue for a loss. Brendon Sorsby tried to get off a desparate pass to running back Evan Pryor. 

Anthony Wilson Jr. caught the ball easily with no one in front of him. He raced 79 yards to tie the game. 

The misfortunes continued for Cincinnati (5-4, 3-3).

Sorsby scrambled up the middle for a six-yard gain the would have been a first down but Reid Carrico slapped the ball out of Sorsby's hands and Tarnue recovered at the Cincinnati 37.

West Virginia (5-4, 4-2) was held to a 24-yard field goal by Michael Harris II.

Perhaps gun shy, Sorsby missed on his next three passes and the Bearcats punted on two possesions.

The Mountaineers scored on a 41-yard three play drive set up by a 29-yard punt return by Preston Fox. a 10-yard pass from Nico Marchiol to Justin Robinson finished the drive.  West Virginia carried a 10-point lead into halftime.

Marchiol scored on an eight-yard run on West Virginia first second half possession.

Logan Wilson intercepted a Marchiol pass into the end zone to thwart another Mountaineer drive with 2:42 third quater.

Evan Pryor busted loose on a short pass for 80 yards on the next play with 2:29 to make it difficult for West Virginia to sleep.

An inspired Cincinnati defense forced the Mountaineers toe punt. The Bearcats had one second to play in the quarter when it downed a punt on their own 29.

Sorsby ran for a 12-yard score with 9:42 left in the game to pull the Bearcats within a field goal. Sorsby rushed for 17, four and nine yards to pick up the final 42 yards of the drive with his legs.

Fox returned the kickoff 43 yards to the Cincinnati 49 but the Bearcats forced a punt on three plays to get the ball back on the five with 9:35 left in the game.

Sorsby threw a backward pass that was recovered by 

Tyrin Bradley, who returned it 14 yards for a clinching touchdown with 3:30 remaining.

Cincinnati had a first and goal at the sixth with a minute left but a false start by Xzavier Henderson dropped them five yards and forced a Bearcat timeout. 

The Bearcats settled for a field goal and an onside kick that West Virginia recovered to end the game. 

Bearcats Control Sun Devils For A Fifth Win

The two new rivals in the Big 12 met for the first time since 1976 at Nippert Stadium. The Arizona State Sun Devils have never been to Cincinnati.

The Bearcats invaded the desert in Tempe twice and brought home wins. This time Cincinnati grinded out a gritty 24-14 win on homecoming.

One of the nations best running backs, Cam Skattebo, rambled for two yards to cap a six-play, 66-yard drive to take a lead.

The Bearcats responded by recovering Skattebo's fumble at the ASU 22. Brendan Sorsby ran a read option into the endzone from 14 yards out to tie the game;

Jake Golday stopped Skettebo on a fourth down pass reception to set up Nathan Hawkes 46-yard field goal to take the lead.

Ohio State transfer, Evan Pryor busted a 55-yard run up the middle to put Cincinnati (5-2, 3-1) up 17-7 with 11:38 left in the first half.

Sorsby scored again from a yard out with 1:55 left to put the Bearcats up by a 24-7 margin.

The Bearcats led by that score at the half. It was the fewest points Arizona State has scored in a half and the most they allowed in a half. 

Corey Kiner rushed for 41 yards in the half. Pryor added 64 yards. The Bearcat defense stuffed Skattebor for 25 yards on eight carries.

The Sun Devils (5-2, 2-2) broke through with 2:23 in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown ramble by by Skattebo to cut Cincinnaati'slead to10.

Cincinnati drove to the Sun Devil three but turned the ball over on downs with 9:10 left in the game, but keeping a two-score margin.

The Bearcats didn't score in the second half but ran out the clock.

Cincinnati was 11th in the nation in time of posession coming into the game. They had a nine-plus minute advantage in this game.

Tragic Ending To The Life Of Hit King - Pete Rose

Pete Rose the rookie Redleg

Swung a very lively bat

He was proud that white C

Stitched onto his baseball hat

All of the other Redlegs

Used to laugh and call him names

Charlie Hustle

They didn’t want young Pete Rose

To take over from Blasingame

Then one sunny Tampa Day

Hutch came round to say

Pete Rose with your hustling play

You will start on opening day

And how the Reds fans loved him

As he hustled every game

Pete Rose the rookie Redleg

You’ll go to the Hall of Fame

The rhyme which roughly fits the tune of Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer was published in a program by Reds’ PR director Hank Zureick in a program for a meeting of veteran baseball players in 1964.

A 10-year old son of one of Zureick’s many friends just made up the rhyme while playing one day and wrote it down. His father, a bartender where Zureick often ate lunch, showed it to the PR man, who liked it enough to put it in the program.

It was long forgotten with the ironic prophecy in the last line.

Pete Rose’s controversial, yet prolific baseball icon, passed away on September 30, 2024 at the age of 83. His accomplishments and controversies are well chronicled and can be found anywhere.

This is about a young fan's perspective on the Shakespearean Tragedy of Rose’s life.

A young man from Sedamsville, who was once cut from his high school team, became the “Hit King” in a story that rivals that of Shoeless Joe from Hannibal Mo in the broadway play Damn Yankees. The character, a baseball fan, who hated the New York Yankees, made a deal with the Devil to become a baseball star and defeat the Yankees.

Rose did that in 1976.

The journey to that is filled with luck, hard work and pure drama that ended when his heart stopped on Monday morning in Las Vegas.

His uncle recommended Rose, who really was not strong on pure talent. The Reds took a chance to fill its minor league roster and ended up striking gold.

The drive and ultra competitive nature that allowed him to eclipse baseball legend Ty Cobb and participate on three world champions was also his fatal flaw.

The 10-year old who penned the poem can remember where he was at key moments in the Rose saga.

He was in the stands with his family when Rose collided with Ray Fosse at home plate in the 1970 All-Star game.

He was watching on a 12” black and white TV in his college dorm when Rose and Bud Harrelson scuffled at second base in Shea Stadium because Rose’s slide was thought to be too aggressive by Harrleson.

He and a friend from college were on their way home after the 1974 tornadoes ravaged the area the night before the Opening Day game against the Atlanta Braves. The pair of students managed to elude security at the service entrance and emerge with a box seat level view of the field when Hank Aaron hit his 714th career home run that tied Babe Ruth. 

They stayed around until the 11th inning when Rose scored the winning run from second base on a wild pitch by Buzz Capra. “FROM SECOND BASE”.

He watched game six of the 1975 World Series in bits and pieces while delivering pizza in the college town. Every stop had the game on where he would watch an out or two then get back to work.

Carlton Fisk’s home run broke his heart but Rose famously told his manager Sparky Anderson, “Wasn’t that the greatest baseball game you’ve ever seen. We will win tomorrow but that was the greatest game.”

It was that competitive spirit that let him file a disheartening loss and keep his edge.

The kid watched the next night with friends. Rose’s head-first dive into third base on Joe Morgan’s hit in the top of the ninth as Ken Griffey Sr. scored the winning run, is a staple highlight of the game. Rose drove in the tying run off Roger Moret in the seventh inning.

The series clinching game in the 1976 World Series at Yankee Stadium was viewed in a group setting in the main lounge of the University student center. At least a hundred students gathered to watch it.

There was the night that Rose’s 44-game hitting streak came to an end as the long-time fan watched in his Toledo apartment.

The kid got a job and lived in Queens, New York where cable TV was three years away on the night that Rose got the hit that made him the “Hit King” off Eric Show on September 11, 1985. As fate would have it, the conditions were right to pick up the WLW broadcast in Queen’s that night from an apartment with a view of Shea Stadium. The next day he went to the news stand and bought every New York paper. It was front page news above the fold in the snooty New York Times.

As a side note the lineup that night had four players who grew up in Cincinnati, Dave Parker, Buddy Bell and Ron Oester joined by Rose.

He watched the game in his apartment on April 30, 1988 when Rose argued and bumped home plate umpire, Dave Pallone.

The kid was in Manhattan, 10 blocks from the offices of Major League Baseball when commissioner Bart Giamatti suspended Rose for life.

And finally, the full circle, the 10-year old was in the press box to witness Pete Rose Jrs, 14 big league at bats. He had two singles to give the father-son combination 4,258 hits.

It seemed like all week the adult “boy” had to defend his hero in front of Mets’ and Yankees’ fans that remembered the Harrelson scuffle and the quote battle between Rose and Thurman Munson from the ‘76 World Series. 

When Munson was compared to Rose’s teammate Johnny Bench. Rose backed manager Sparky Anderson who said,”Don’t try to compare him to Johnny Bench.” Rose praised Munson for his great 1976 World Series but took the side of his manager and teammate for the statement that hurt the Yankee’s catcher’s feelings.

The former 10-year old refused to believe the “Dowd Report” that concluded, Rose bet on baseball. His faith was shattered two decades later when Rose finally admitted that he bet on baseball albeit on his own team. It was baseball’s golden rule that he indeed violated.

The fatal flaw that compelled a competitor, idle in the off season to compete by gambling and gambling to a fault. There is the contradiction that made him infamous as a person but never did erase his on-field accomplishments.

In 1991, baseball’s Hall of Fame passed a rule post facto that a player suspended from the game could not be elected to the Hall of Fame. The edict is profoundly disingenuous with Rose memorabilia, videos and records dominating baseball’s shrine. The man who hoped to be alive and be inducted, lost that battle on Monday. It is ironic that such a winner lost the fight.

Yet there is hypocrisy on the part of Major League Baseball that can’t be overlooked as the aged 10-year old looks back. Major League baseball now promotes gambling on its sport. Once saying it was a slippery slope to let the game be in any way associated with gambling.

However, with gambling money and a drastic change in morality. Major League baseball runs ads during games for gambling sites, FanDuel and MGM Sports Betting. They plunged down that slippery slope like the kids water slide in the backyard.

Rose didn’t see the day that he had a plaque with his name on it in Cooperstown but that injustice can and should be corrected for the sake of Pete Rose Jr and daughter Fawn. 

And oh yes, the 10-year old who stands by his hope and wish that his flawed, yet human, hero is honored for eternity.

Paul Skenes Hands Reds Loss Number 81

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Last year's top pick in the draft, Paul Skenes, won his 10th game for the Pittsburgh Pirates with five scoreless innings in a 2-0 triumph.

The loss was the 81st for the Reds, the best they can do is reach the .500 mark if it sweeps the last five games in Cleveland and Chicago.

Hunter Greene made his first start since August 13th when a bruised elbow forced him to the injured list.

He was under "controlled" conditions because he missed enough time the Reds had to stretch him out slowly.

The only blemish on his three innings was the 21st home run of the season by Oneil Cruz.

Nick Yorke led off the fifth inning with his first Major League home run off Fernando Cruz.

Skenes pitched five innings, allowign two hits, both singles. He struck out nine batters. In his three starts against the Reds, Skenes has allowed one run in 17 innings. He has now allowed three runs or fewer in 21 of his 23 starts. Skenes dropped his ERA under two at 1.99 for the season.

The Reds didn't get a runner to second base all day.

"He throws 100 mph. He has a sinker, a right on right change. He has a lot of pitches that he can throw where he wants, when he wants."

"He (Skenes) dominated really. He had a really good change up. It was kind of his growth since the last time we faced," Reds' manager David Bell said. "That was the difference maker for him today."

Former Red Aroldis Chapman earned his 11th save of the season by striking out two. He now has 77 saves at Great American Ball Park. 

It was the final home game for the Reds, who drew 2,024,186 with an average of 24,990. 

Bearcats Tame Cougars For First Big 12 Home Win

The Cincinnati Bearcats jumped on the Houston Cougars for two first quarter scores on their way to a 34-0 win.

It was the first Big 12 home win in Bearcat history and avenged a loss to Houston's first year coach Willie Fritz, who coached Tulane to the 2022 AAC champion, Tulane Green Wave.

The Bearcats were the beneficiary of three Cougar turnovers and held them to 233 yards of offense while putting up 362. Corey Kiner rushed for 78 yards on 16 carries.

Brendan Sorsby connected with Xzavier Henderson for a 19-yard touchdown, following an interception by Josh Minkins Jr.at the Cougars 45 yard line. 

Kiner broke off a 44 yard run to put the Bearcats up by 14.

Sorsby and Henderson hooked up again for a 15-yard pass that put Cincinnati up 21-0 with 6:27 left n the first half.

Nathan Hawks kicked a 46-yard field goal with 1:51 to put the Bearcats ahead 24-0.

Houston put together a long drive off the second half kickoff but Re'Shaun Sanford II broke loose for a 20-yard run. Derrick Canteen jput his helmet ofn the football knocking it loose. Trevon Gola-Collard recoverd it at the Cincinnait 11.

The Bearcats scored on an eight-yard run by Sorsby, capping an 80-yard, four minute drive.

Hawks added a 34-yard field goal to cap the scoring.

 

Ozuna Ends Drought To Drown Reds

 

 

 Marcell Ozuna homered, Gio Urshela drove in three runs and Spencer Schwellenbach pitched six innings of one-run ball as the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Wednesday night. 

The win allowed the Braves to stay within two games of the Mets for the final National League wild card spot.

The Braves are 1-4 against the Reds this season.

Ozuna greeted Tony Santillan (2-3) with his 38th home run of the season in the seventh, a solo shot that broke a 1-1 tie. The blast ended Ozuna's home run drought at 26 games and his RBI drought at 19 games. Urshela drove in two runs with a bases loaded single, pushing the lead to 4-1.

In the eighth, Michael Harris II homered and Ozuna doubled to knock in Eli White and record his 100th RBI of the season. 

Urshela drove in his third run with a ground-rule double in the ninth.

Schwellenbach (7-7) made his 19th start for the Braves. In six innings, he allowed one run on five hits while striking out five and walking two.  

The Reds managed three hits in the first five innings and pushed their only run across in the sixth. Elly De La Cruz hit his ninth triple into the right field corner to lead off the inning. De La Cruz scored on TJ Friedl's safety squeeze.

Jakob Junis made his fourth start for the Reds. He was pressed into a starting role when Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo were injured. Junis retired the first 11 Braves’ batters before Ozuna doubled. Matt Olsen’s single to center broke the scoreless tie in the fourth.

Junis pitched six innings, allowing just two hits. He retired 18 of the 20 batters he faced.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: Ozzie Albies made his first rehab start Tuesday night. “He hit off lefties all night. Everything was good. I hope he can get some right on right at bats, tonight," manager Brian Snitker said.

Reds: The Reds are deciding whether Hunter Greene will make a start Sunday. “He will make two starts,” David Bell said.

UP NEXT

The final of the three-game series on Thursday afternoon will feature the Reds' rookie Julian Aguiar (2-0, 4.88 ERA) against Braves' veteran Chris Sale (17-3, 2.35).

Spencer Steer Gudes Red To Fourth Straight Win Over Braves

 

 

 Michael Harris II and Matt Olson homered for Atlanta, but the Braves blew a four-run lead in a costly 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

Pierce Johnson and Jesse Chavez struggled as Atlanta dropped its third consecutive game. The Braves (81-70) fell two games back of the New York Mets (83-68) for the third NL wild card.

Harris hit a leadoff drive in the first against Brandon Williamson. Marcell Ozuna reached on a one-out single before Olson made it 3-0 with his 26th homer.

Jorge Soler's 19th homer made it 5-1 in the fourth. But that was it for Atlanta, which went 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 14 runners on base.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot a couple times,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “This is one of those places, too. You're never safe. You have to keep scoring. There were a couple plays that could have been executed better.”

Spencer Steer homered for Cincinnati, and Tyler Stephenson had two hits and drove in a run. The Reds (74-78) improved to 4-0 against the Braves this year.

Jake Fraley started Cincinnati's rally with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth. The Reds added two more runs in the sixth against Chavez.

Stephenson hit a leadoff single in the seventh and Steer hit a drive to left-center off Johnson (5-5), giving Cincinnati a 6-5 lead.

Steer has 20 homers and 25 steals. He joined Elly De La Cruz as the first teammates on the Reds with at least 20 homers and 20 steals in the same season since Barry Larkin and Eric Davis accomplished the feat in 1996.

“I try to show up every day and take good at bats to help this team win. That's why I showed so much emotion. I felt it was a big spot and I feel like I've not been the guy I needed to be for this team,” Steer said. “I hold myself to a high standard. This game is all about consistency and I haven't been as consistent as I'd like.”

Steer is still among the league leaders with 91 RBIs.

Atlanta right-hander Grant Holmes pitched four innings in his first start since Aug. 14. He was charged with two runs and five hits.

“Grant gave us everything we needed and more," Snitker said. “I thought Jesse threw the ball really well. It was just a couple of misplays.”

Williamson left the game in the second inning with a strained left elbow. He permitted three runs and three hits.

“It was one pitch that did it,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He had an MRI tonight but there is going to be a follow-up tomorrow in the afternoon.”

Brent Suter (1-0) got one out for the win, and Alexis Díaz handled the ninth for his 28th save in 32 tries.

Ozuna had two hits, raising his batting average to .303. But he hasn't hit a home run in his last 26 games. He hasn't driven in a run in his last 19.

“We've been struggling to score runs lately but I'd hate to see where we'd be without him,” Snitker said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: INF Ozzie Albies started a rehab assignment in the minors. Snitker hopes to have him back for an upcoming series against Miami.

UP NEXT

Spencer Schwellenbach (6-7, 3.73 ERA) starts for Atlanta on Wednesday, and Jakob Junis (4-0, 2.73 ERA) goes for the Reds.

Pittsburgh Panthers Trap Bearcats With A Huge Second Half Comeback

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats squandered a 21-point lead to suffer a 28-27 loss to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers in the 14th meeting of the River City Rivals.

The Bearcats was their first loss in four meetings to put their record to 9-5 in meetings all-time. The Bearcats won a 27-21 decision last season.

Tipp City native Ben Souls kicked a 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds left to complete the comeback.

"It was a gutsy win for our guys," Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said. "I couldn't be prouder of the effort they gave. We came out in the fourth quarter and said.'we're going to win this thing.' Our guys believed, coming back from 21 down. We made plays in the second half on offense and defense."

UC punted after four plays with 7:44 left with an eight point lead. 

Pitt scored on a 56-yard pass up the middle to Desmond Reid, who had 148 yards rushing and 106 yards recieving to put them within two points at 27-25 and went for the two-point conversion for the tie but Eric Phillips sacked Holstein with 5:40 to play but the Bearcats could not run out the clock, and punted with 2:38 left. 

"I'm happy with what I did," Reid said. "But I'm happier for the team to come back like that."

Reid lost two yards from the 20-yard line on the first play of the final drive but Holstein found Reid on an eight-yard pass play. Dontay Corleone stopped Derrick Davis for no gain to create a fourth and four. Cincinnati's defense was flagged for delay of game to give the Panthers a first down.

Holstein scrambled for eight. Reid ran for nine. Holstein found senior Konata Mumpfield for 34 yards to the Bearcat 19. Davis ran for six but Corleone sacked Holstein for a loss of six with the clock down to 23 seconds. Davis gained two yards and Sauls kicked the game winner.

"Eli (Holstein) had a much better second half. You could see some of that happening," Narduzzi said. "We didn't make a ton of adjustments on defense. It was just about making plays."

Holstein made amends for a tough first half.

"First half I was thinking too much, trying to do too much," freshman Holstein said. "They were dropping eight pretty much every play. I tried to do too much. Towards the end of that last drive (of first half) I was doing what the coaches were telling me to do. That's how I started playing the second half."

"The whole first half was on me. I apologized to coach Nuzz. That was on me nobody else."

Cincinnati opened the scoring with a 52-yard scoring pass from Brendan Sorsby to Jamoi Mayes at 7:47 in the first quarter. It was Mayes' first TD receptions. Mayes played four seasons at the University of Chattanooga.

Pittsburgh's drive bogged down at the Cincinnati 29. Ben Sauls kicked a 47-yard field goal for the Panthers first score.

The Bearcats used passes from Sorsby, 34 yards to Xzavier Henderson and 32 yards to Joe Royer to set up a five-yard TD pass to T,ony Johnson.

Plagued by penalties and a near interception that put the Bearcats in a 4th and 23 situation, Carter Brown kicked a 49-yard field goal with 8:11 left in the half for a 17-3 lead. The Bearcats ate seven minutes and 14 seconds off the clock on the drive.

Brown missed a 25-yard field goal attempt that would have stretched the lead to three with 23 seconds in the half.

Sauls connected for 53 yards as time expired to end the half with Cincinnati leading, 17-6.

The Bearcats ended a 10-play, 53-yard drive after 5:13 with a 16-yard TD pass to Joe Royer.  It is his first career touchdown catch. The Beatcats lead expanded to 24-6 with 7:25 left in the third quarter.

Brown's 26-yard field goal with 4:50 left put Cincinnati up by three touchdowns at 27-6.

Eli Holstein answered, leading a 10-play, 75-yard drive over 4:04 with an 11-yard pass after a scramble to Konata Mumpfield  to cut thre Bearcats lead to 27-13 with :46 seconds left in the third quarter. 

Holstein hit Mumpfield again on a fourth and two with a 38-yard scoring pass. The Panthers were denied on a two-point conversion but cut the lead to 27-19 with 10:41 remaining. 

Pittsburgh linebacker, Rasheem Biles dropped Sorsby for a loss on a 3rd and 6 to force Mason Fletcher to punt. Fletcher pinned the Panthers at their own six-yard line with 7:44 to play,

Ty France Beats Astors With A Home Run Paddle His 11th Homer And Hit

 

 

 Ty France homered in the seventh inning as part of a series sweep in which he went 9 for 11, and the Cincinnati Reds beat Houston 1-0 Thursday for its ninth straight win over the Astros.

Rhett Lowder, the seventh overall pick in the 2023 amateur draft, allowed four hits over 6 1/3 innings in his second big league start.

“We knew they were an aggressive team. I had to come out with my best stuff and get them out as fast as possible,” said Lowder, who has allowed just one run in his first 10 1/3 innings. “I feel really good with where my games at right now.”

The 22-year-old right-hander with shoulder-length hair walked four and struck out three.

“There is no question that he’s showing he was prepared to be here and he’s doing it in such a way that shows he knows how to pitch,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He located pitches, great mix, four different pitches. To do it against that team with their lineup is a great experience for him. He will continue to get better.”

Tony Santillan (2-2) induced an inning-ending double play in the seventh and worked around a walk in a hitless eighth. Alexis Díaz pitched a perfect ninth for his 25th save in 29 chances, finishing a four-hitter.

Cincinnati pitched its fifth shutout, tied with the Chicago White Sox for second-fewest in the major leagues behind Colorado with one.

Houston's AL Central lead was cut to five games over Seattle, which played at Oakland later Thursday. The Reds also swept Houston in three-game series in 2019 and 2023.

After Hunter Brown allowed four hits in six innings, Bryan Abreu (2-3) allowed France's 12th home run this season.

“I had a good series in Kansas City but off the top of my head, I can't remember a series like this,” said France who often faced the Astros when he played for Seattle.

Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña had two hits and two big defensive plays. He hopped on second to avoid a sliding Jake Fraley and gloved the toss from second baseman Jose Altuve for an inning-ending forceout in the fourth, then picked up Jonathan India's grounder on the outfield grass in the fifth and made a strong throw on the fly to first baseman Jon Singleton for the out.

Yordan Alvarez was 0 for 4 a day after a 10-game hitting streak ended and was 1 for 11 in the series.

“We had some great fielding plays that kept us in a close game,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We had some opportunities to score but couldn't get the big hit. It was a grind.”

Astros manager Joe Espada was ejected by plate umpire Brian O'Nora signaled a 1-1 changeup hit Alex Bregman but first base umpire Brennan Miller signaled foul ball, which became the call. While replays showed Bregman was struck on the right arm, a video review ruled the call on the field stood.

Espada came out for a lengthy discussion and returned to the dugout. Then, after Bregman took a full-count pitch for a called third strike, Espada was ejected by O'Nora for apparently yelling from the dugout, his fourth ejection this season.

Reds Score An Astronomical Nine Runs To Ground High Flying Astros

 

 

Jonathan India kick started the Reds in a nine-run first inning to enable the Reds to take the series with a 12-5 rout. The Reds have now beaten the seven time ALCS participants for the eighth straight time.

The Reds roughed up the reigning Rookie of the Month om the American League, Spencer Arrighetti, scoring nine runs in the first inning.

Arrighetti had a no-hitter for seven innings in his last start against the Phildelphia Phillies in his last start and had a string of 14 1/3 scoreless innings. 

That lasted to the second pitch to Jonathan India, who launched his 14th home run and 11th career game opening home run. 

Elly De La Cruz followed with a double. He went to third on Tyler Stephenson's ground out to short. TJ Friedl doubled to score De La Cruz. Spencer Steer lined out to left field. Ty France singled to score Friedl. France was coming off a 4-for-4 game on Monday. His fifth hit in five at bats scored Friedl. Jake Fraley walked. He and France pulled a double steal. Santiago Espinal walked to load the bases. Amed Rosario hit a ground ball up the middle that shortstop, Jermey Pena put a glove on but it trickled into center field for a two-run double. In India's second at bat of the inning, he walked. De La Cruz bounced a single to left to score the sixth and seventh runs. That got Arrighetti out of the game in favor of Tayler Scott. Stephenson singled to score the last two runs. Friedl grounded out to finally end the inning. 

"It was nice to get those nine runs. I was pitching like it was a close game," Martinez said. "It was awesome. I didn't want to let up. I was all gas from the beginning."

The Astros scored off Reds' starter Nick Martinez in the second inning. Alex Bregman, returning from an elbow injury, doubled to open the inning. He waited there for two outs before Ben Gamel singled to score Bregman. 

De La Cruz doubled for his third hit of the game in the third inning. Stephenson recorded his third RBI of the game with a long single to center.

Friedl and Steer hit RBI singles against Forrest Whitely in the fifth inning to stretch the lead to 12-1.

An error by Espinal allowed the Astros to score three unearned run in the sixth inning. Zach Dezenzo hit a two-run single to end the night for Martinez. Chas McCormick singled to score the third run of the inning.

Martinez pitched 5 2/3 innings allowing, four runs, one earned on six hits and three walks. He struck out seven. 

Jon Singleton hit his 13th home run in the seventh.

Brent Suter finished the final 3 1/3 innings for a save. 

"You never relax especially against this team (Astros). Nick has done what we asked him to do all year," David Bell said. "Tonight he threw more pitches than he's thrown all year. He probably got a little tired there at the end. Suter is still making his way back from injury. To not have to get anyone else up and throw that many pitches was big for us. It gives the other guys two days off.