Xavier Earns First Victory Behind Zwack, Bosacker

Saturday, February 15

Memphis, Tenn.

3 PM ET

Xavier University

1-1

Memphis

1-1

Xavier

Memphis

Photo by: Rooted Media House

Xavier Earns First Victory Behind Zwack, Bosacker

02.15.20 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Season Stats

Natale Monastra homers as Xavier defeats Memphis on the road, 3-1

By: Mark Leopold, Xavier Athletics Communications

MEMPHIS - Xavier baseball won game two of their series against the Memphis Tigers at FedEx Field by a score of 3-1. Nick Zwack was terrific on the mound to start the game, as he threw 91 pitches across 5.2 innings while only allowing two hits and striking out nine. Natale Monastra gave Xavier the lead early with a solo home run in the third and later scored in the 8th. In his first collegiate game, Ethan Bosacker picked up the save after 3.1 scoreless innings and four strikeouts.

Xavier returns to the field tomorrow to face the Tigers in the series finale, set for 2:00 p.m. ET.

XU AT THE PLATE

Natale Monastra connected on Xavier's first home run of the season with a solo shot to left in the top of the third to give the Musketeers a 2-1 lead.
Luke Franzoni had a 2-3 day at the plate that included a sacrifice fly for an RBI in the third to give Xavier their first run of the day.
Overall, Xavier accumulated eight hits, three walks, and had at least one baserunner in eight innings.

XU ON THE MOUND

Nick Zwack tied a career-high with nine strikeouts and only allowed two hits in a 5.2 inning performance to earn the win.
In his collegiate debut, Ethan Bosacker came on in relief and struck out four batters in the final 3.1 innings of work to preserve the Xavier lead and earn the save.

HOW THEY SCORED

Luke Franzoni hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Garrett Schultz in the top of the third and tied the score at 1-1.
The next batter, Natale Monastra, hit Xavier's first home run of the season with a blast to left that put Xavier in front 2-1.
Jonathan Kelly singled to left in the top of the 8th to bring home Monastra who beat the throw to the plate and doubled Xavier's lead at 3-1.