Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Cincinnati
Baseball Drops 8-5 Decision at Cincinnati, Splits Crosstown Series
04.28.10 | Baseball
April 28, 2010
CINCINNATI - The Xavier baseball team split its series with crosstown rival Cincinnati as the Musketeers dropped an 8-5 decision Wednesday night at UC's Marge Schott Stadium. With loss, XU falls to 15-28 on the year while UC improves to an even 20-20.
Redshirt sophomore Matt Kleifges led the way for the Musketeers going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI while junior Phil Bauer also had a multiple hit day, going 2-for-4.
Cincinnati got the scoring going in the second when the Bearcats used three hits to score three runs in the inning. With one out on the board, UC's Chris Peters reached base with a single to left but some confusion on the base paths led to the runners at second and third being put out on the play to end the inning.
Xavier got a run back in the third as McCambridge took a base after being hit to lead off the inning. Bauer's single got McCambridge over to third and senior Zac Richard collected an RBI with his sacrifice fly out as McCambridge raced home. Heading into the bottom of the third, UC held a 3-1 advantage.
The Bearcats' Kevin Johnson knocked out a solo shot in the fourth but the Musketeers got a run back in the fifth on a sac fly out by senior Drew Schmidt. Cincinnati loaded up the bases in the bottom of the fifth and walked in a run before Xavier went to the bullpen. Two more Bearcat runs would score before the Musketeers got out of the inning. UC led by five, 7-2, after five.
Redshirt senior Neil Lindgren led off the sixth with his second walk of the game and Kleifges doubled to the right center wall plating Lindgren. A sac bunt by freshman Patrick Paligraf moved Kleifges to third and McCambridge's fly out gave him the chance to make it home. The Musketeers had cut into the Bearcat lead, 7-4.
Junior Ben Thomas opened the eighth with a double down the left line and moved to third on a ground out by senior Bobby Freking. Richard collected an RBI in his at-bat when Thomas crossed home as he was put out at first. The `Cats stole a run in the bottom of the inning and UC headed into the ninth with the three-run advantage which would prove to be the final score.
Sophomore Nate Mutsch (0-5) was charged with the loss after throwing 4.1 innings. He gave up seven runs, six earned, on eight hits and struck out four. Josh Murphy and Brian Muransky combined for the final 3.2 innings of the game.
Andrew Strenge (3-1) got the win for the Bearcats. He tossed 2.2 innings, giving up two runs off two hits. Andrew Burkett picked up his 10th save of the season after throwing the final inning of the contest.
The Bearcats were led by T.J. Jones with two hits and a run scored while starting pitcher Kevin Johnson was 1-for-1 with three runs and two RBI.
The Musketeers are headed up I-75 to battle Atlantic 10 foe Dayton this weekend. The first game in the series will be on Friday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. Stay tuned to GOXAVIER.com for more information on Xavier baseball.
