Baseball Falls in Series Finale at Auburn, 10-6

Sunday, March 8

Auburn, Ala.

2:00 PM

Xavier University

4-9

Auburn

13-3

Xavier

Auburn

Selby Chidemo blasted a three-run homer, his first of the season, in the top of the ninth.

Baseball Falls in Series Finale at Auburn, 10-6

03.08.15 | Baseball

Box Score

March 8, 2015

Box Score | Box Score  

AUBURN, Ala. - Selby Chidemo blasted a three-run homer in the ninth, but Xavier baseball couldn't complete its comeback effort -- leaving the bases loaded and falling 10-6 at Plainsman Park on Sunday.

The Musketeers (4-9) couldn't find the big hit in either of the final two games in the series, dropping a fifth-straight overall as Auburn moved to 13-3.

Chidemo's homer to left was his first of the season, coming in the top of the ninth and scoring Patrick Jones, Bannon and Will LaRue. Rylan Bannon had his second multi-hit game of the weekend (2-for-5, RBI) and Daniel Rizzie also connected for a pair of hits (2-for-4) as the XU offense collected 10 on the afternoon.

Sophomore Trent Astle (0-2) overcame a rocky first, allowing just one run over his final three innings. After Auburn increased its lead to 9-2 in the fifth, the Xavier bullpen combined for three innings of one-run ball -- getting single innings from Eric Stiene, Damien Richard and Brandon Johnson.

XU went up 1-0 in the first innings after back-to-back singles by David Morton and Joe Forney to lead off the game. With one out, Morton advanced to third and came around to score on an error.

The Tigers struck for five in the bottom of the frame and led 6-1 in the fifth when Bannon ripped a double down the right field line to score Brian Bruening.

Auburn added three in the bottom of the fifth and another in the seventh, leading 10-6 before XU mounted its rally in the ninth. Pinch-hitting for Derek Hasenbeck, Jones reached on an error and LaRue walked to get things started. A wild pitch moved runners to second and third before Chidemo connected for a three-run shot to left.

With two outs in the frame, Blaine Griffiths worked a walk and Joe Gellenbeck was hit with a pinch to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle. Nate Soria batted next and doubled down the left field line to score Griffiths with his first career hit. Andre Jernigan earned a walk to load the bases again and bring the tying run to the plate, but LaRue struck out looking to end the game.

Xavier returns to action on Tuesday, March 10 at Wright State. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.