Scott Googins said the Bearcats will have to stagger suspensions over the next five games due to the incident even though no punches were thrown. However, that is a devasting blow for the Bearcats heading into a huge series against a very tough Florida team. “It was nothing we want to see, that is not who we are, that is not what we want to be at the University of Cincinnati or any program I am a part of,” said Googins. “However, it happened it is a learning moment, we have to control our emotions. That is not who we are as a team or program.”
Who will replace the reigning AAC Player of the Year, in Griffin Merritt.
The Bearcats saw reigning AAC Player of the Year Griffin Merritt transfer to Tennessee this offseason as a graduate student. Merritt finished the 2022 season hitting .315%, where he led the American Athletic Conference with 19 homeruns, 17 doubles, and 53 runs batted in. Merritt totaled 139 bases during his historic season and was a huge part of the Bearcats success as the Bearcats finished (24-31, 12-12 AAC) during the 2022 season.
“Anytime you lose a guy like Griffin Merritt, it will leave a void. I don’t think you ever replace a guy like Merritt,” Googins said. “He is a special kid, but we are going to have guys that will step up this season.”
Now let’s take a look at who could fill the void of Griffin Merritt heading into the 23 season.
Cole Harting- Harting, a Cincinnati native has made an immediate impact for the Bearcats since arriving to campus in 2020. Harting, a junior outfielder is coming off a season where he started all 54 games for the Bearcats, hitting .313% on the season with nine home runs, nine doubles, two triples, while driving in 47 runs for the Bearcats. Harting, a dominate outfielder who spent his summer playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Ryan Nicholson- Nicholson, a redshirt junior is already off to a hot start to his season as we mentioned earlier, while coming off a season where he earned 2nd team AAC honors as he hit .277 on the season, while raking 12 homeruns, along with 12 doubles, 40 runs batted in, during the 2022 season. Nicholson, is also a big piece for the Bearcats on the defensive end as well, as he had a .998% fielding percentage a season ago, committing just one error. Nicholson, will be a huge part of the Bearcats success on both sides of the field as he looks to be an everyday player for Scott Googins and the Bearcats.
“Obviously we have big expectations for Ryan,” Googins said. “You just don’t want to put pressure on him, He is going to carry the team, but he doesn’t have to carry the team. He is going to be a big part of our success this year. He is a great teammate, a hard worker, a very good leader, He has really grown and matured since he got here. It was awesome watching to see him have that success over the first weekend.”
A huge opportunity waits for Scott Googins and the Bearcats as they look to make some noise early in the season in the nonconference slate. The last time these two teams last faced off was back on February 10-12th during the 2006 season, where the gators swept the Bearcats in a three-game series at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainsville, Florida.
Probable Starters.
Friday
Cincinnati’s Garrett Harker vs Florida’s Brandon Sproat
Saturday
Cincinnati’s Chase Horst vs Florida’s Hurston Waldrep
Sunday
Cincinnati’s Chase Hopewell vs Florida’s Jac Caglianone
The Bearcats vs Florida series will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network with first pitch slated for 6:30 on Friday night for the first of a three-game series.
The Bearcats will be back at UC Baseball Stadium on March 1st for their home opener vs Miami in which is the start of a five game homestand for the Bearcats.
