April 27, 2008

Box Score

CINCINNATI - The Xavier baseball team completed its sweep of visiting A-10 foe St. Bonaventure Sunday afternoon with a 4-0 shutout at Hayden Field. With the win, and a Charlotte loss to Duquesne, XU takes over sole possession of first place in the A-10 standings heading into week 10.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Danny Rosenbaum recorded a new career-high in strike outs with 12 over 8.0 scoreless innings of work. Rosenbaum and junior righty Brett Greenwell combined for the shutout.

Both teams remained scoreless through the first three innings until Xavier (19-23, 13-5 A-10) were able to put two runs up in the fourth. Sophomores Bobby Freking and Zac Richard both reached base on a Bonnie error to start the frame and were able to advance on a fly out by junior Sean Farrell. Junior Billy O'Conner's single to center scored both runners although he was put out at second to end the inning. Xavier held the two-run lead, 2-0, heading into the fifth.

XU put up two more runs in the sixth as Freking tripled to center field followed by a Richard single which allowed him to come across. Junior Jordan Conley singled to the shortstop, advancing Richard, and O'Conner was walked to load the bases. Freshman Phil Bauer was up next and his base on balls sent Richard home for the second run of the inning. The Musketeers took the 4-0 lead, which would prove to be the final score.

St. Bonaventure (20-19, 9-9 A-10) threatened in the seventh but with runners on second and third, Tristian Mulcahy struck out swinging to end the inning.

Rosenbaum (3-3) got the win for the Musketeers after striking out 12 while walking two and giving up no runs in eight complete innings of action. Greenwell faced four batters in the ninth to collect his second save of the season. The two combined for the shutout.

Matt Stewart (2-3) took the loss for the Bonnies after striking out three while walking two and giving up two earned runs in 6.1 innings of work.

Xavier returns to action on Tuesday, April 29, for its last home game of the month versus Cincinnati. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.