Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Saint Joseph's
Baseball Drops 10-9 Decision to Saint Joseph's
04.19.08 | Baseball
April 19, 2008
Box Score
CINCINNATI - The Xavier baseball team dropped the second game in its three-game home series versus the Saint Joseph's Hawks, 10-9, Saturday afternoon at Hayden Field. The Musketeers could not overcome the Hawks' five-run seventh inning as SJU evened the series at two games apiece.
Sophomore Zac Richard led the XU offense, going 3-for-4 on the day with two RBIs and one run scored. Junior Adam Pasono also went 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring three runs while batting in one.
Xavier (15-20, 9-5 A-10) took the 6-2 lead after putting up four runs in the fifth inning, which was kicked off with a single by freshman Phil Bauer. Bauer scored on Pasono's double to left field and Pasono was sent home on a balk by the Hawks' starter Dominic Favazza. Junior Steve Brown singled to third followed by a single by sophomore Bobby Freking and SJU went to the pen for reliever Chad Simendinger.
After both runners advanced on a passed ball, Richard was intentionally walked to load the bases. Junior Jordan Conley doubled to collect two RBI as both Brown and Freking scored. Xavier held the four-run lead, 6-2, heading into the sixth.
Saint Joseph's (14-22, 6-8 A-10) got two runs back in the sixth when Ben Wendle singled through the right side followed by a home run to left field from David Valesente. Senior Mike Creevy was called in from the bull pen for the Musketeers in relief of starter senior Michael Lucas. Creevy got out of the inning with no more damage as Xavier still clung to a 6-4 advantage.
SJU opened up the game with five runs in the seventh. Two Musketeer errors combined with three Hawk hits allowed Saint Joseph's to take the 9-6 lead heading into the bottom of the frame.
XU manage to get two runs back in the inning as a double by Richard scored Freking from first and a sacrifice bunt by junior Billy O'Conner allowed Richard to come across.
Both teams scored one run each in the eighth and although Xavier had the winning run at the plate in the ninth, the Musketeers could not convert the opportunity as the Hawks took the 10-9 victory.
Creevy (5-2) took the loss for Xavier after putting in 1.2 innings of work. Lucas struck out five batters while walking one in 5.1 innings of action. Freshman Ben Thomas and senior David Hartman also saw time on the mound for the Musketeers.
Andrew Powers (1-0) got the win for Saint Joseph's after putting in 1.0 innings with one strike out and no walks. Chris Prescott got the save for the Hawks, striking out one and walking one in the final inning of the game.
Sunday's game time has been moved to 11 am for the final game of the three-game series between XU and SJU.
