March 23, 2008

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio - Although Dayton got out to an early two-run lead, the Xavier baseball team scored two runs in the sixth and seventh innings to come-from-behind to beat the Flyers, 4-2, Sunday at UD's Time Warner Cable Stadium. Sophomore designated hitter Zac Richard was 2-for-4 on the day which included a two-run homer, his team-leading fourth of the season, and a single.

The Flyers started the scoring in the second inning when Max Navalinski reached on a fielding error by the Xavier second baseman. He then stole second and was in scoring position with two outs when Scott Dunwoody hit a fly ball to right field when a fielding error enabled Navalinski to score for a 1-0 Flyer lead.

Jake Hoover and Max Navalinski were both walked to begin the fourth inning for Dayton. Ryan Nevill followed with a bunt single down the left field line to load the bases. Cole Tyrell sent Navalinski home from third with a RBI groundout to the shortstop, however, UD would get no more runs out of the rally and was held to a 2-0 lead.

Richard, a Versailles, Ohio, evened the game in the sixth inning with a one-out two-run homer to right field for XU, which scored junior right fielder Sean Farrell who had doubled to center. Heading into the bottom of the sixth, the score was knotted at two runs apiece.

The Musketeers' junior center fielder Adam Pasono was walked to open the seventh and then stole second to move into scoring position. Junior left fielder Steve Brown was hit by a pitch and senior first baseman Robbie Kelley was walked to load the bases, setting up a two-out RBI single up the middle by Richard to give Xavier a 4-2 victory.

Senior right handed pitcher Michael Lucas (1-1) got the win for the Musketeers after putting in six innings of work while striking out four and giving up only two hits. Junior shortstop and right handed pitcher Jordan Conley (1) notched the save after the last four Flyer batters of the game were put out.

Lucas Farden (2-2) took the loss for Dayton after giving up two runs in the seventh inning. He struck out five batters while walking three in 3.2 innings of work.

Up next for the Musketeers is the last game of the three-game series with Dayton to be played Monday, March 24, at UD's TWC Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.