Xavier University
Vanderbilt
Lucas, Xavier Give No. 1 Vanderbilt a Scare
03.02.07 | Baseball
March 2, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Junior Michael Lucas almost guided the Xavier baseball team to an upset of No. 1 Vanderbilt on Friday afternoon at Hawkins Field. The Musketeers held the Commodores to just three runs on seven hits but could not muster any runs as they fell, 3-2. XU now stands at 1-8 on the season, while Vanderbilt improves to 12-0 overall.
The Musketeers scored first in the top of the third as freshman Pat Coffey doubled down the left field line. Senior Jordan Wolf delivered the first blow to Vanderbilt's preseason All-American pitcher David Price as he recorded the second triple of his career to score Coffey and give XU the early 1-0 lead.
Sophomore Adam Pasono would follow Wolf's performance with a double of his own down the left field line to score the senior and give the Musketeers the early 2-0 advantage.
The Commodores would respond and rough up Lucas for two in the home half of the third after three hits resulted in a tied score at 2-2 after three complete.
The teams would stay off the scoreboard in the fourth until Vandy pushed across the eventual game-winner in the bottom of the fifth after a homerun by preseason All-American third baseman Pedro Alvarez notched his first hit of the game over the right field wall.
Lucas would cruise for two more innings without surrendering a run before giving way to sophomore Brett Greenwell who kept the Commodores in check but the XU offense could not find a way to get to Price again as the lefty went the distance allowing only two earned on seven hits with 13 strikeouts.
The junior Lucas would match the All-American's performance throwing 120 pitches and seven strong innings and allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts, while Greenwell also allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout.
Senior Matt Waskerwitz led the way offensively with a 3-for-4 day at the plate. Classmate Wolf added his triple and RBI while Pasono and Coffey each finished with a double. Freshman Drew Schmidt would tally the last XU hit as the Musketeers stroked three of their seven hits for extra bases in the game.
The two teams will return to action tomorrow afternoon at Hawkins Field. First pitch will take place at 2:00 pm with Xavier's Bill Konecny on the mound.
