Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Illinois State
XU Splits First Two Games At RussMatt Invite
03.06.11 | Baseball
March 5, 2011
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- After defeating Bowling Green 7-6 earlier in the day, the XU baseball team was looking to sweep its opening day of competition at the RussMatt invitational. However, it was not to be as the Illinois State Redbirds defeated XU 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth. Seth Willoughby improved to 1-1 with the win over BGSU while Falcon reliever Ben Singer was pegged with the loss. Redbird pitcher Kenny Long earned the win for ISU in game two while Markus Kuykendoll fell to 1-2 with the loss.
In the first game of the day, the Musketeers took advantage of a Bowling Green passed ball in the bottom of the ninth. Selby Chidemo struck out swining but reached on a passed ball, which allowed Patrick Jones to score and seal the win for XU.
Xavier (3-6) trailed 6-3 heading into the top of the ninth but rallied to tie the game at 6-6. Seth Willoughby reached after being hit by a pitch then moved to second on a Ryan Bellamy single. Willoughby scored on a groundout by Selby Chidemo and Bellamy scored as senior center fielder John McCambridge reached on a error by the Redbird third baseman. Senior Ben Thomas' double brought McCambridge home.
ISU (6-3) Josh Colon singles to center field in the bottom of the ninth to bring home Jacob Wielbenicki for the game winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
Thomas led the Musketeers offensively as he went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Matt Mirabal was tops at the plate for the Redbirds, going 3-for-5 with one run scored.
XU continues play at the RussMatt Invitational tomorrow at 3 p.m. as the Musketeers take the field against Yale.
