Engineering graduate drafted by San Diego Padres
The Cincinnati Enquirer features UC baseball standout
The Cincinnati Enquirer highlighted University of Cincinnati engineering graduate Kerrington Cross's journey to the major leagues. Waiting alongside hundreds of other baseball hopefuls, Kerrington Cross heard his name called on July 14. With the 220th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft, Cross is headed to the San Diego Padres.
"It feels good," Cross told the Enquirer. "They were one of my favorite teams I worked out for. I'm really happy to be part of that organization."
Cross's baseball career at UC was historic. He was named Big 12 Player of the Year, a four-time All-American, and his 219 games played ranking among the top 10 all-time at Cincinnati. Now, he is the first Bearcat to be selected in the draft by the Padres.
Cross is dedicated to working hard in this next level, open to playing any position the team needs of him. Going the extra mile is no stranger to Cross. As a student in UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, Cross not only was required to go to class, but also to participate in the cooperative education (co-op) program. Through co-op, students alternate between semesters in the classroom and semesters of full-time work in engineering research or industry. To make this work with his schedule as an athlete, Cross worked irregular hours, going in early in the morning in order to get back to campus in time for practices and lifts. Sometimes, he had to practice on his own because of his schedule.
"Kerrington is unequivocally one of the most successful student-athletes in the history of Cincinnati Baseball," said UC Head Coach Jordan Bischel.
Read the Cincinnati Enquirer article.
Featured image at top: Kerrington Cross was drafted in the 7th round by the San Diego Padres. Photo/Steven Distel/UC Athletics
Related Stories
UC launches Bearcats Affordability Grant
January 7, 2026
The University of Cincinnati is making college more attainable for students across Ohio with the creation of the Bearcats Affordability Grant. The new grant will provide a pathway to tuition-free college for students of families who make less than $75,000 per year. Beginning in fall 2026, the Bearcats Affordability Grant will cover the remaining cost of tuition for Ohio residents who are Pell eligible.
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
Is going nuclear the solution to Ohio’s energy costs?
November 10, 2025
The Ohio Capital Journal recently reported that as energy prices continue to climb, economists are weighing the benefits of going nuclear to curb costs. The publication dove into a Scioto Analysis survey of 18 economists to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy. One economist featured was Iryna Topolyan, PhD, professor of economics at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.