Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Duquesne
Bauer's Grand Slam Propels XU Over Duquesne, 12-5
04.16.10 | Baseball
April 16, 2010
Box Score
CINCINNATI- Despite having off-and-on showers, the Musketeers were able to capitalize on a huge eighth inning to defeat Duquesne 12-5 in the series opener at Hayden Field. With the win the Musketeers improve to 10-25 and an even 5-5 in Atlantic 10 play while the Dukes fall to 7-27 on the season and 3-7 in A-10 action.
The game got off to an interesting start. After the national anthem finished the rain fell hard for more than 10 minutes. Once the game got underway, the Musketeers started off hot.
Junior Phil Bauer had arguably the best game of his collegiate career. He tied a team-high three hits, came home twice, had six RBI and hit a huge grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. Bauer also made some fantastic defensive plays from the shortstop position.
Junior pitcher Tommy Shirley also had a tremendous day. He struck out a career-high 13 batters after tossing 7.0 innings. Freshman Markus Kuykendoll got the win, however, after an inning of work. With the win, Kuykendoll's record improves to 1-4 on the season. Joe Lombardo got the loss for the Dukes. His record now stands at 2-1.
The Blue and White were on the board first after Drew Schmidt doubled to bring home John McCambridge in the first inning. McCambridge also had a double in his first at bat. Schmidt came back in the third inning and doubled again to left field. Bauer was up next and hit a single to left center that brought Schmidt home. Bauer scored after a sacrifice fly by senior Bobby Freking. XU led at this point 3-0.
Duquesne did not score until the sixth inning in which they took the lead from the Musketeers 4-3. XU came back in the seventh inning and recaptured the lead with Patrick Paligraf scoring off of Duquesne error on a McCambridge bunt.
The eighth inning was where the Musketeers effectively put the game away. Zac Richard got things started with a single. Richard was replaced by pinch runner Dan Rinck. Mark Elwell got on base after getting hit by a pitch. Neil Lindgren reached on an error by the third basemen which loaded the bases. Paligraf was up next and singled to center field which brought home Rinck. The Dukes continued to make errors which brought Elwell in and put McCambridge on base. Schmidt was walked next which allowed Lindgren to score. With the bases still loaded, Bauer stepped up to bat and hit a huge grand slam to center field.
Duquesne only managed to get one run in the top of the ninth off of a DeFabio double and a wild pitch.
Both teams are back in action tomorrow in game two of the series. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. Stay tuned to GOXAVIER.com for more information on Xavier baseball.
