Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Kentucky
Baseball Splits Doubleheader During Season Opener
02.24.08 | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2008
Kentucky Box Score | Fairfield Box Score
MOBILE, Ala. - The Xavier baseball team split its doubleheader on the opening day of the 2008 season at the Coca-Cola Classic hosted by the University of South Alabama. In Saturday's opener, the Musketeers fell, 10-1, to the No. 20 Kentucky Wildcats before downing the Fairfield Stags, 12-7, at South Alabama's Stanky Field. Xavier is now 1-1 heading into its game with USA on Sunday.
Xavier tallied seven hits on the day against Kentucky's lefty Chris Rusin, including two in the first and three sixth. It was in the sixth frame that XU scored its lone run of the game as freshman John McCambridge singled to center field but was put out on a fielder's choice to third base as junior Adam Pasono reached first. When senior Robbie Kelley doubled to right center, Pasono advanced to third. With runners on second and third, sophomore Zac Richard singled to center field, scoring Pasono for the RBI.
Musketeer starter Charlie Leesman took the loss after going four innings, allowing four hits and four earned runs, while striking out six batters. Junior Joe Kohler came in for middle relief, throwing two innings, allowing two earned runs and stiking out one batter. Senior Kyle Cowden closed out the game on the mound for XU, putting in three innings of work, allowing one earned run while striking out four.
Rusin worked seven innings on the mound for UK, allowing seven hits, striking out four, and allowing one earned run, picking up the win. Freshman southpaw Logan Darnell finished out the contest, working two hitless innings, striking out two.
The second game of the day was a different story for the Musketeers as they defeated Fairfield, 12-7. The Stags put together an early 3-0 lead but XU battled back, picking up two in the second and third innings but took a commanding lead with an eight-run fourth inning to set the score at 10-3.
Xavier's senior Mike Creevy and junior Jordan Conley scattered just six hits over the final five innings to hold off the Stags.
Up next for the Musketeers is a match-up with host South Alabama on Sunday, Feb. 24, the final day of the Coca-Cola Classic. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at USA's Stanky Field. The box score from today's second game will be made available as soon as possible.
