Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Indiana State
Baseball Holds on to Lead, Beats Indiana State, 6-5
04.02.08 | Baseball
April 2, 2008
Box Score
CINCINNATI - The Xavier baseball team outlasted the Indiana State Sycamores Wednesday afternoon, squeezing out the 6-5 win at Hayden Field on XU's campus. Sophomore Zac Richard was a stellar 3-for-4 at the plate, including a lead off home run on the second pitch of the second inning.
Indiana State (7-15) started off the contest by putting up one run in the first inning after a single, sacrifice bunt and stolen base placed Ryan Strausborger on third. Nick Ciolli then grounded out to third base and Strausborger came home, giving ISU the 1-0 lead.
Xavier (9-14) got a run back in the second as Richard blasted a solo home home over the center field fence and would go on the put up three runs in the third. Junior Adam Pasono scored on a double by junior Steve Brown. Richard doubled down the right field line for two RBIs as sophomore Drew Schmidt and Brown came across. XU took the three-run advantage, 4-1.
The Sycamores scored one run in both the fourth and fifth frames to close the gap to one, 4-3. Brian Oliver homered for ISU and Strausborger crossed home plate on a wild pitch.
The Musketeers put another run on the board in the bottom of the fifth as Pasono singled, moved over to second on a sac bunt by Schmidt and made it to third when Brown grounded out to second base. Sophomore Bobby Freking's single sent Pasono home and XU closed the frame up by two, 5-3.
Xavier's last run of the game came in the seventh after Indiana State's Nathan Inman came out of the bullpen to relieve Brendon Smith. Brown singled and then advanced to second on a throwing error. Freking followed that with a double and Brown scored XU's sixth run of the contest.
ISU would make a late rally in the top of the ninth, scoring two runs, but Xavier's defense and pitching from junior Jordan Conley put a stop to the run as XU closed out the game with a 6-5 win.
Freshman Brian Muransky (1-2) got the win for the Musketeers as he struck out four while walking only one in 6.0 innings of work. Conley picked up the save for XU, his third of the season.
Senior Josh Varno (0-2) took the loss after striking out two batters, walking none and allowing four earned runs over 3.0 innings of action.
The Musketeers return to Hayden Field Friday, April 4, as they open the home portion of their Atlantic 10 schedule versus Richmond. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
