Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
No. 22/24 Ohio State
Buckeyes Come From Behind, Nip Baseball, 9-7
03.31.09 | Baseball
March 31, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Xavier baseball team led No. 22/24 Ohio State through six and a half innings but a three-run seventh for OSU provided the winning run as the Buckeyes came from behind to take the contest, 9-7, at Bill Davis Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The Musketeers are now 13-9 on the season while the Buckeyes improve to 21-4 overall.
The Musketeers were led by senior Adam Pasono who went 2-for-3 at the plate, the only Musketeer with a multiple-hit game. He scored two runs and tallied five put outs on the day. Junior Drew Schmidt and sophomore Ben Thomas both collected two RBI in the contest as well.
Xavier (13-9) put up four quick runs to open the game as the first two Musketeer batters were walked and junior Bobby Freking collected an RBI on a single to right, scoring senior Billy O'Conner. Thomas got his eighth extra-base hit of the season with a double to left that plated Schmidt as well as Freking and after Thomas advanced to third on a passed ball, senior Sean Farrell's fly out to center sent Thomas home to put XU up by four, 4-0.
Thomas, in the fourth slot of the order as the designated hitter, started on the mound for the Musketeers as well and struck out the first two Buckeye batters. XU got out of the inning after a pop up to senior short stop Jordan Conley and the Musketeers retained the four-run advantage.
Ohio State (21-4) got on the board in the bottom of the third on a two-out, two-run shot by Michael Stephens to left field, his sixth home run of the season. The Buckeyes cut into the Musketeer lead by two, 4-2.
In the fifth, sophomore John McCambridge was hit and got himself into scoring position after stealing two bases to get around to third. Senior Adam Pasono took a base on balls and the Ohio State pitcher was called for a balk, sending home McCambridge and moving Pasono to second. O'Conner's ground out to third allowed Pasono to reach the hot corner and Schmidt tallied his team-best third sac fly of the season after Pasono tagged and made his way home. XU extended its lead back to four, 6-2.
The Buckeyes got two runs back in the sixth after a single and two walks loaded the bases for OSU. Zach Hurley's fielder choice allowed Ryan Dew to score and Cory Kovanda followed with an RBI single which plated Cory Rupert. The two teams headed into the seventh with the Musketeers still leading, 6-5.
Pasono led off the seventh with a single to third. He advanced on a balk and made it to third on a bunt from O'Conner. O'Conner collected his eighth stolen base of the season to put runners on second and third to set up Schmidt for the RBI single as Pasono safely touched home to give Xavier the 7-5 advantage.
With two outs in the bottom of the frame, OSU's Dew tallied two RBI with his double to right field, tying the game at seven runs apiece. Rupert was at the plate next and his triple scored the go-ahead run for the Buckeyes, scoring Dew from second. The Musketeers got out of the inning with no more damage as the last Buckeye batter lined out to left field. Ohio State held its first lead of the game, 8-7, heading into the eighth.
Ohio State's Hurley led off the eighth with a solo shot over the center field fence to give the Buckeyes the 9-7 lead, which would prove to be the final score.
Senior Joe Kohler (2-1) took the loss for the Musketeers. He entered the game in the sixth inning and faced only two batters but gave up the winning run.
Dean Wolosiansky (5-1) got the win for the Buckeyes after throwing three complete innings for OSU. He gave up one run on three hits and struck out one.
The Musketeers return to action Wednesday, April 4, with a 3 p.m. match-up against Miami (Ohio) at Hayden Field. Admission is free.
