CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The Cincinnati Bearcats’ offense erupted for 15 hits and scored in each of the first five innings, overwhelming the UC San Diego Tritons 16-1 in the first game of a Friday evening doubleheader at Marge Schott Stadium.

The game was effectively decided in a dominant early stretch by the Bearcats (11-4), who responded immediately after the Tritons (4-8) scratched out an unearned run in the top of the first inning. UC San Diego’s lead was short-lived, as Cincinnati sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom half, scoring three times to take a lead it would only expand.

Christian Mitchelle’s two-run single with two outs gave Cincinnati a 3-1 advantage, setting the tone for an offensive onslaught. The Bearcats added three more in the second inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Quinton Coats and a run-scoring single by Jack Natili, to build a 6-1 lead.

The most decisive sequence came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Already leading 9-1, Cincinnati loaded the bases with one out. After a pitching change by UC San Diego, Bearcats second baseman Jackson Smith stepped in and launched a grand slam to deep right field, his second home run of the season. The blast broke the game open, turning a sizable lead into a 13-1 rout.

Cincinnati starter Logan Knight (1-0) was the beneficiary of the explosive support and delivered a commanding performance on the mound. The right-hander earned the win, pitching five strong innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out eight. He effectively silenced the Tritons’ bats after the first inning, providing stability as the Bearcats built their insurmountable lead.

UC San Diego’s lone run came without a hit in the first. Leadoff batter Costello reached on a fielding error by first baseman Coats, advanced to third on a double by designated hitter Gabe Camacho, and scored on a groundout. Camacho accounted for half of the Tritons’ four hits, going 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI double in the third that plated the unearned run.

Following Smith’s grand slam, the Bearcats continued to add on. Natili led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to center field, his second of the year. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly by Niehaus and an RBI single by pinch-hitter Sefcik capped the scoring at 16.

UC San Diego used six pitchers in the loss. Starter Murdock lasted just 1 2/3 innings, surrendering six runs, five earned, on three hits and five walks. Reliever Jake Villar provided one of the few bright spots for the Tritons, entering in the fifth inning and throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with no hits allowed.

Cincinnati relievers Hudson Johnson, Bradley Coulter and Brennan Eager combined to pitch the final two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four to seal the victory.

The lopsided win exceeded pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Cincinnati 7, UC San Diego 4, and gave the Bearcats a 63.6 percent probability to win.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader Friday night. The series finale is set for Sunday.