Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Rhode Island
Two-Run Eighth Lifts Baseball Over Rhode Island, 6-5
02.22.09 | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2009
RALEIGH, N.C. - Junior Drew Schmidt's double in the bottom of the eighth inning scored the go-ahead run for the Xavier baseball team as XU edged Rhode Island, 6-5, Sunday afternoon in its final game of NC State's Summit Hospitality Invitational. With the win, the Musketeers finish their 2009 opening weekend 2-1.
Xavier (2-1) kicked off the scoring in the second inning as sophomore Ben Thomas doubled to left and senior Sean Farrell was walked to put runners on first and second. With two on and two outs, senior Billy O'Conner collected two RBI off his double to right, scoring Thomas and Farrell, to put the Musketeers up early, 2-0.
Rhode Island (1-2) picked up a run in the top of the third when Mike LeBel led off with a single up the middle and eventually crossed the plate on a sac-fly by Dan Rhault.
The Rams put together a three-run fifth off three hits as Rhault's single to right center plated two of the runs for a total of three RBI on the day. URI took the 4-2 lead into the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Musketeers answered with two runs of their own when senior Adam Pasono led off with a single to left field and then stole second. Sophomore John McCambridge was walked and both runners advanced on a sac bunt from Schmidt. Senior Steve Brown's sac fly sent Pasono home and McCambridge crossed on a wild pitch to even the score at four apiece.
URI briefly retook the lead in the following frame as Rob DeVeney homered in the top of the eighth, putting the Rams ahead, 5-4.
O'Conner took a base on balls and then stole second to move into scoring position. McCambridge's single to right scored O'Conner and he made it to second on an error by the right fielder. Schmidt followed with a double to right center, allowing McCambridge to cross home plate, scoring the go ahead run. XU held onto the 6-5 lead to claim the victory.
Senior Joe Kohler (1-0) was credited with the win for Xavier as he was the pitcher of record when the Musketeers took the lead for good. Kohler tossed one complete inning, giving up one run off one hit and striking out one batter. Conley (1) collected the save for XU, closing out the game with two strikeouts and one walk while giving up only one hit as well.
Sophomore Tom Shirley started the game on the mound for the Musketeers. Shirley tossed four complete innings and faced two batters in the fifth, tallying four strikeouts. Freshman Josh Deeg relieved Shirley, putting in three innings of work in his first collegiate appearance. Deeg struck out three while walking one and gave up one run on two hits.
Luke Demko took the loss for Rhode Island after entering the game in the eighth inning. Demko gave up two runs on two hits and walked one.
The Musketeers return to action next weekend with a four-game series at Wofford College Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in Spartanburg, S.C. First pitch on Friday, Feb. 27 is set for 7 p.m.
