Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Eastern Kentucky
Baseball Falters at Eastern Kentucky, 11-6
04.21.09 | Baseball
April 21, 2009
RICHMOND, Ky. - On a cold and rainy afternoon, the Xavier baseball team dropped an 11-6 decision at Eastern Kentucky Tuesday at Turkey Hughes Field. With the loss, the Musketeers move to 20-15 overall while the Colonels improve to 20-16 on the season.
Both senior Steve Brown and junior Drew Schmidt had two hits on the day for the Musketeers and Schmidt also tallied two RBI.
Xavier (20-15) got on the board first in the contest, scoring three runs to take the quick 3-0 lead. Sophomore Ryan Bellamy led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a Colonel balk. With junior Drew Schmidt at the plate, Bellamy reached the hot corner on a wild pitch, setting up Schmidt's RBI-single to plate Bellamy. Senior Neil Lindgren was up next and as the pitcher was trying to pick off Schmidt at first he overthrew, allowing Schmidt to make it to second on the error. Lindgren singled to center for the Musketeers second RBI of the game as Schmidt scored from second.
Sophomore Ben Thomas' single moved Lindgren over to second and senior Jordan Conley advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Junior Zac Richard tallied his first sac fly of the season for the third out of the frame as Lindgren made it home. XU took the three-run lead into the bottom of the inning.
Eastern Kentucky (20-16) would not be down long as the Colonels exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the third. EKU loaded the bases with the first three batters of the inning and Langfels' two-RBI double down the left line cut the Muskies lead to one, 3-2. The next batter scored to score another run and then both remaining base runners stole a base with Ottrando at the plate. Ottrando singled through the left side for two more RBI and Garcia followed with a single to advance Ottrando to third.
The Musketeers went to the bullpen as senior Brett Greenwell came in as relief for starter freshman Josh Deeg with no outs and two on. The first out of the frame came on a throw from Bellamy to Schmidt as Garcia was caught stealing. The Colonels would get one more run in before the end of the inning as Davis doubled to left, scoring Rodriguez from first. EKU took a four-run advantage into the fourth, 7-3.
XU got a run back in the fourth after senior Adam Pasono led off the inning with a walk. He reached third on a fly out by Bellamy and Schmidt's RBI single allowed him to make it home.
In the bottom of the fifth, EKU's Ottrando sent a solo homer over the left field fence to open the frame for the Colonels. A double and a single followed, scoring another run for Eastern Kentucky, giving EKU the 9-4 lead. With bases loaded and two outs, Langfels singled, scoring a run, and then a Musketeer throwing error allowed a second Colonel runner to make it home, extending the lead to seven, 11-4.
Xavier would get two more in the seventh as Richard reached on an error and then made it round to third on a double down the left line by Brown. Richard scored on an RBI-single from sophomore Phil Bauer but Brown would also come across on an error by the left fielder. The Musketeers had cut the Colonels' lead to five, 11-6, which would prove to be the final margin.
Deeg (2-2) took the loss for the Musketeers after tossing two innings giving up six earned runs on seven hits. Greenwell threw 2.2 innings of relief followed by redshirt freshman Shane Liska who put in three scoreless innings of work, striking out three batters. Freshman Dustin Reuter closed out the game for Xavier.
Macon Smith got the win for the Colonels. He threw 1.1 innings in the contest, giving up one earned run while striking out none and walking two.
The Musketeers return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, with a trip to intrastate rival Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks will be hosting their "Think Pink" event and the team will be wearing pink jerseys to promote breast cancer awareness. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
