TicketsMarch 20, 2007
CINCINNATI, Ohio---Xavier scored an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth inning and Cincinnati left 10 men on base, leading the Musketeers to a 1-0 win during round one of the baseball version of the Crosstown Shootout on Tuesday afternoon at Hayden Field. The loss snaps Cincinnati's six-game win streak and drops the Bearcats' record to 11-8 on the year.
Xavier (4-17) started its scoring march when Jordan Wolf drew a two-out walk against Adam Calez and stole second. UC looked to be out of the inning when Sean Farrell chopped a grounder to short, but Adam Yeager's on-target throw popped out of the mitt of first baseman Neall French and a hard-charging Wolf scored all the way from second.
UC had ample chances in the final three innings, but couldn't manage to push the tying run across. In the seventh, the Bearcats loaded the bases with two outs, but Ryan Baker was nipped at second on a bang-bang fielder's choice. One inning later, the visitors again packed the sacks with two outs against Kyle Cowden. Brian Szarmach sent a screamer through the left side but XU shortstop Matt Waskerwitz made a fine diving catch of the liner to end the threat. The ninth inning saw lead-off man Jamel Scott make it to second base with one out, but he was stranded there as David Hartman nailed down the save.
John Baird provided a highlight for the Bearcats as he tossed five shutout innings in the best outing of his short UC career. The junior allowed only two hits and three walks, while striking out three. Calez (1-1) was the hard luck loser after yielding the unearned run and just one hit in 2.1 innings of work.
UC, which banged out seven hits on the afternoon, got two from freshman Michael Earley who continues to swing a hot bat since returning from injury earlier this month. Tony Campana's sixth inning single ran his hitting streak to 15 games.
Xavier freshman Zac Richard (3-2) thwarted the UC bats for 6.2 shutout innings, allowing just five hits. Cowden and Hartman combined for 2.1 scoreless relief innings to preserve the win. UC pitchers limited the Musketeers to just three hits on the day.
UC will look to get back on the winning trail, returning to Marge Schott Stadium tomorrow for a 4 p.m. meeting with in-state rival Toledo.