March 22, 2008

Box Score

DAYTON, Ohio - The Xavier baseball team opened the Atlantic 10 portion of its schedule with a bang, blanking rival Dayton, 9-0, Saturday afternoon at UD's Time Warner Cable Stadium. Xavier out-hit the Flyers 10-3 in the contest as sophomore second baseman Drew Schmidt went 2-for-5 on the day for the Musketeers while collecting an RBI and scoring a run.

Xavier (5-9, 1-0 A-10) notched its first run of the day in the top of the second after senior first baseman Robbie Kelley reached on an error and then advanced on the miscue. Junior shortstop Jordan Conley's sacrifice bunt moved Kelley to third and junior catcher Billy O'Conner's single through the left side enabled him to come across. XU headed into the Third leading by one, 1-0.

XU got two more in the third as junior left fielder Steve Brown led off with a single and then stole second to move into scoring position. Sophomore designated hitter Zac Richard was walked and Kelley followed with a single to third base. With Conley at the plate, all three runners advanced on a passed ball as Brown touched home. Conley was subsequently walked and freshman third baseman John McCambridge was hit, allowing Richard to score. The Musketeers extended their lead, 3-0.

Two more runs would go up for XU in the sixth after both teams endured an hour and 40 minute delay due to snow flurries. McCambridge started off the inning with a double to right center and junior center fielder Adam Pasono singled up the middle. Schmidt singled, scoring McCambridge, and Brown's sac bunt moved the runners over. Junior right fielder Sean Farrell took a base on balls and Richard's sacrifice fly scored Pasono. After the top of the sixth, Xavier held the 5-0 advantage.

The seventh would be just as kind after Conley singled and O'Conner reached on a throwing error by the catcher. Both runners were able to advance on the error as well. McCambridge was walked to load the bases and with Pasono at bat Conley scored on a wild pitch. Pasono flied out to center, scoring O'Conner.

Xavier's last two runs of the game came in the top of the ninth as McCambridge was hit by a pitch and then Pasono reached on a fielder's choice. Schmidt also reached on a fielder's choice and Pasono advanced to second. Brown's fly out advanced Pasono to third and Farrell's single through the left side scored Pasono. XU's last run would come on a single by Richard as Schmidt came across the plate. After the top of the ninth, Xavier led by nine, 9-0, which would prove to be the final score.

Senior Mike Creevy (3-1) notched the win for the Musketeers after relieving junior Charlie Leesman in the fourth following the snow delay as the two combined for the shutout. Creevy struck out five, walked none and allowed no runs in six innings of work.

Chris Beesley (2-2) took the loss for Dayton (10-6, 0-1 A-10) after throwing four innings and striking out only one Musketeer batter.

The Musketeers and Flyers continue their three-game series Sunday, March 23, as the two will play at 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday at UD's Time Warner Cable Stadium.