Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
No. 2 Rhode Island
Baseball Narrowly Falls Short Against Rhode Island, 7-6
05.21.09 | Baseball
May 21, 2009
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| Championship Central
DAYTON, Ohio - The game came down to the last Musketeer batter in the ninth inning but the Xavier baseball team ended up falling to second-seeded Rhode Island, 7-6, Thursday evening at Fifth Third Field in the second round of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championship. The Musketeers move to 1-1 in the championship but will play at least one more tomorrow afternoon.
Sophomore John McCambridge led Xavier with three hits on the day, including a two-RBI single in the ninth that pulled the Musketeers to within one in the final inning. Three other Musketeers tallied two hits on the day as well.
Xavier (34-19) took the early 1-0 lead after junior Neil Lindgren singled in senior Billy O'Conner (walk) in the top of the first inning. But the Rams answered as A-10 Player of the Year Dan Rhault knocked out a solo shot to left to tie the game at one run apiece.
Rhode Island (36-18-1) exploded for five runs on the bottom of the fifth on the strength of a grand slam by Oliver Palmer. Although the ball appeared to hit off the wall and the Musketeer center fielder played it, it was eventually ruled a home run giving the Rams the 6-1 lead. The next two URI batters were put out as XU got out of the frame with no more damage.
In the top of the seventh the Musketeers got two runs back as the first two XU batters were walked to open the frame. Junior Drew Schmidt sent home both base runners after his double hit the right field fence. Schmidt was left stranded but the Musketeers had cut into the Rams' lead, 6-3.
Both squads tallied a run in the eighth. The Musketeers recorded four consecutive singles as O'Conner sent in senior Steve Brown to score XU's fourth run of the contest. With a man at third and two outs, the Rams' Mike LeBel laid down a bunt and beat out the throw to first enabling Tom Coulombe to make it home. After eight, URI held the 7-4 advantage.
The Musketeers loaded the bases in the top of the eighth after a single and two walks and, with no outs, the Rams' closer punched out two batters. McCambridge was up next and his single to center sent home two Muskies to pull XU within one. The next XU batter flied out to right to end the game with the Rams on top, 7-6.
Tim Boyce (6-2) took the win for the Rams after tossing six and a third innings. He gave up three runs on five hits and struck out three while walking five.
Junior Danny Rosenbaum (5-5) took the loss for the Musketeers after throwing 7.2 innings. He gave up seven runs on 10 hits and struck out two while walking none. Senior Brett Greenwell finished up the eighth inning for the Musketeers.
The Musketeers will return to action tomorrow afternoon in an elimination game versus the winner of tonight's game between Charlotte and Massachusetts at 3:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Field.
