Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Michigan State
Xavier Drops Final Two Games At Snowbird Classic
03.09.12 | Baseball
March 9, 2012
Game 1 Box
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.-- The Musketeers came up short in their final two games of the Snowbird Classic as Friday. XU dropped a 4-0 decision to Akron early in the day and fell to Michigan State 8-5 in the afternoon game. With the losses, Xavier fell to 4-11 overall.
Xavier couldn’t overcome a strong pitching performance by Akron in Friday’s first game.
Sophomore Vinny Nittoli dropped to 0-3 on the season as he was pegged with the loss in game one. The right hander pitched seven innings and gave up two earned runs in the outing. Andrew Brown pitched seven shutout innings as he earned the win for the Zips in game one.
In game two, Xavier rallied take a 5-3 lead with four runs in the top of the seventh inning. Sophomore Brian Bruening belted a two-run home run with one out to get the XU rally started. Michael Moore brought home Mitch Elliott with a RBI fielder’s choice, and Patrick Paligraf plated Mark Elwell with a RBI single.
MSU took the lead with three runs of its own in the bottom of the seventh and sealed the win with two more runs in the bottom the eighth.
Alex Vice was pegged with the loss as the pitcher of record in game two. Bryce Jenney picked up the win for MSU and Tony Wieber earned the save.
XU will host Toledo in the home opener Friday, March 16 at Hayden Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
