Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Massachusetts
Baseball Blanks Massachusetts, 9-0, to Take Series Opener
05.14.10 | Baseball
May 14, 2010
CINCINNATI - For the third time this season and the fourth of his career, junior Ben Thomas knocked out two home runs Friday to lead Xavier baseball over visiting Massachusetts, 9-0, at XU's Hayden Field. Five Musketeers recorded multiple-hit games in the shutout of the Minutemen.
Thomas was 2-for-3 with three runs and four RBI while redshirt senior Neil Lindgren went 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI.
Xavier (20-30, 13-9 A-10) put up a four-spot in the third when senior Drew Schmidt led off with a single and junior Phil Bauer followed with a bunt single but both got an extra base on a throwing error. Thomas followed with his first homer of the day, a three-run shot to center field, to clear the bases. Senior Bobby Freking collected an RBI in his next at-bat as he went yard for back-to-back Musketeer bombs.
The Musketeers tallied two more runs in the fifth, both coming with two outs on the board. Junior Ryan Bellamy reached first on a Minuteman error which enabled Thomas to come home and Lindgren singled in senior Zac Richard to put XU up, 6-0.
Two more runs came in for Xavier in the seventh on three Musketeer singles. Junior John McCambridge's base hit brought home Lindgren and Schmidt singled in McCambridge to stretch the lead to eight, 8-0.
Massachusetts (17-24, 11-11 A-10) threatened in the eighth but the base runner was left on third as Kyle Multner popped up to Xavier's second baseman.
Thomas led off the eighth with a solo shot to left for his second long ball of the day to set the score at 9-0 in favor of Xavier which would prove to be the final margin.
Junior Tommy Shirley (2-3) was credited with the win after throwing eight scoreless innings. He fanned eight and scattered five hits. Shirley and redshirt sophomore Josh Murphy combined for the shutout as Murphy tossed the final inning with neither walking a single batter.
Nick Serino (2-6) was charged with the loss after putting in 6.2 innings on the mound for Massachusetts. He struck out four and gave up eight runs, six earned.
The Minutemen were led by Peter Copa and Eric Fredette with two hits apiece.
The three-game series resumes on Saturday for the second of three to be played this weekend. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Hayden Field and admission is free.
