April 13, 2010

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio - In its first game of the second annual Joe Nuxhall Classic, the Xavier baseball team dropped a 12-11 decision at Miami (Ohio) Tuesday night as the RedHawks scored eight runs in the ninth inning to take the win. Three Musketeers recorded three hits on the day, including freshman Patrick Paligraf went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Also for the Musketeers, junior John McCambridge recorded three hits in six at-bats with a run and two RBI while redshirt senior Neil Lindgren went 3-for-5 and scored two runs.

Miami (15-16) put up two quick runs on two hits in the first inning to take an early advantage but the Musketeers answered with two in the third to even the score. Senior Drew Schmidt led off with a single to the shortstop and junior Phil Bauer's base hit put runners at first and second. Senior Bobby Freking knocked in Schmidt with his double to left and Bauer scored on a sacrifice fly out by senior Zac Richard. Heading into the fourth, XU and MU were knotted at two apiece.

Xavier (8-25) led off the fourth with back-to-back singles and the runners were moved over on a sac bunt by Schmidt. A ground out by Bauer garnered him an RBI as Paligraf reached home. After a call to the pen, junior Ben Thomas smacked an RBI double down the left line to plate McCambridge as XU went up two, 4-2.

The Musketeers cushioned the lead with a four-run fifth after loading the bases to open the inning. McCambridge took a base on balls to walk in a run and Schmidt reached on a fielder's choice as Lindgren came across home plate. With the bases loaded for a second time, Thomas hit a two-RBI single through the right side plating Schmidt and Paligraf to put Xavier up by four, 6-2.

The RedHawks used four hits to get two runs back in the bottom of the fifth but XU scored a run in the sixth, eighth and ninth to push the XU lead to seven. Paligraf was walked to load the bases in the sixth and McCambridge followed with a single to bring home junior Ryan Bellamy. In the eighth, a fielder's choice plated Lindgren and redshirt sophomore Matt Kleifges scored in the ninth on a base hit from Paligraf. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, Xavier was in control, 11-4.

Miami responded with a huge ninth inning, scoring eight runs to overtake the Musketeers' lead and win the contest, 12-11. Ryan Kaup's walk-off single scored a RedHawk from second base to win the game for Miami.

Redshirt freshman Alex Vice (0-2) was charged with the loss for the Musketeers after throwing a third of an inning, giving up two runs on three hits. Starter senior Zac Richard tossed four innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking none.

Brandon Meister got the win for the RedHawks as he threw the final inning of the game for MU. He gave up a run on two hits and walked one batter.

Kevin Bower led Miami with a 4-for-5 day at the plate, collecting two RBI.

The Musketeers return to action Wednesday as they are set to play Wright State in the consolation game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Miami's McKie Field.

Xavier Musketeers Baseball

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