March 15, 2008

Box Score

CINCINNATI - The Xavier baseball team dropped its home opener, 8-6, to Youngstown State in extra innings at Hayden Field Saturday, March 15. Junior right fielder Sean Farrell went 2-for-5 on the day with three RBIs in his first start of the season for the Musketeers.

Xavier (3-8) got on the board first with a big five-run first, started off with a single to center field by junior left fielder Steve Brown. Sophomore second baseman Drew Schmidt singled through the left side and Farrell doubled to center, scoring both runners. Designated hitter sophomore Zac Richard followed that with a double of his own, sending home Farrell.

Junior shortstop Jordan Conley reached on a fielder's choice as Richard advanced to third on an error by the shortstop. Conley then advanced on an error by the catcher and Richard was able to come across. Senior catcher Danny Hayden singled to center field, notching an RBI as Conley scored on the play. XU held the five-run lead heading into the second, 5-0.

The Musketeers would get one more in the second as Brown was walked to open the frame. The Penguins' Cody Dearth came in as relief for Adam Kalafos and Brown was able to steal second. Farrell was up next and his double down the left field line scored Brown for his third RBI of the day. Xavier was up, 6-0, after two complete.

Youngstown State (3-8) would get three runs back in the top of the third and another run in the fourth. A run in both the sixth and eighth innings for the Penguins knotted the game at six runs apiece.

The game headed into extra innings and Xavier threatened in the bottom of the 11th when Hayden reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and freshman John McCambridge came into the game to pinch run for Hayden. Junior Billy O'Conner singled to center, advancing McCambridge to third. O'Conner stole second and with two runners in scoring position, the Musketeers could not convert.

The Penguins scored the winning runs in the top of the 12th when David Leon doubled to left field enabling two YSU base runners to come home.

Junior Brett Greenwell (0-2) took the loss for the Musketeers after stiking out three batters and walking none in three innings of work.

Eric Marzec (1-0) got the win for Youngstown State as he struck out six batters while walking one over five innings of action.

The Musketeers will be back in action Sunday, March 16, as they play their fourth and final game versus Youngstown State. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. at Hayden Field.

Youngstown State  003 101 010 002 - 8 11 4
Xavier                        510 000 000 000 - 6 8 4