Xavier and Dayton Split Doubleheader

CINCINNATI --- The Xavier baseball team (18-25, 6-7 Atlantic 10) gained no ground and lost no ground in the Atlantic 10 race today after splitting a doubleheader with Dayton (21-19, 8-5 Atlantic 10). The Musketeers mounted a thrilling comeback victory in game one to win by a final of 5-4. The Flyers took game two 9-2 and allowed only six Xavier hits. Senior co-captain Ty Brenning (Urbana, OH), with a double in game one and a home run in game two, extended his school record hitting streak to 22 games.

In game one, the Musketeers took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Eric Greenwell (Bridgeton, MO) led off with a single and scored three batters later when Mark Andres (Greenwood, IN) knocked him in with a base hit of his own.

XU was then held hitless for four innings. The Flyers racked up two runs in the fourth and two more in the top of the sixth on the strength of home runs by Brent Berigan and Shawn Bolinger. Dayton led 4-1 going into the bottom of the sixth.

The home team finally got to starting pitcher Sam Fischer in the sixth. With two outs, Ryan Schreen (South Elgin, IL) started it off with a walk. He was followed by three straight hits. Greenwell reached first with a perfect bunt. Brenning ripped a double, scoring two and Jeff Crandell (Lothian, MD) singled and brought two more in.

With the score knotted at four in the bottom of the last inning, XU rallied. Jarret Sues (Middletown, NJ) led off with a single to right. After Matt Tedford (Norwood, OH) bunted Sues to second, Alec Moss (Sherman Oaks, CA) and Ed Bongard (Philadelphia, PA) both drew walks, loading the bases for Schreen. The sophomore bounced a game-winning single up the middle for the 5-4 Musketeer win.

Senior Matt Raih (De Kalb, IL) tossed his third complete game of the year. He gave up four runs and seven hits on his way to earning the win.

In game two, UD took control in the third with four quick runs. With two men on base and one out, Xavier starting pitcher Kevin Crowley (Wheaton, IL) served up a three-run homer to Bolinger. UD crossed one other run in the inning to take a 4-0 lead. The Flyers added to it the next inning. After giving up a single, Crowley was pulled in favor of Raih. Dayton belted two more hits in the inning and was able to plate three more runs, claimimg a 7-0 lead.

The Musketeers got their only runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth when Brenning rocked a two-run bomb over the left field wall. It was his third of the season.

UD added a couple of insurance runs in the top of the seventh thanks to a two-run homer by Mark Schulte. The Flyers held on for the 9-2 win. It was Dayton's first victory over Xavier in three tries this season.

Dayton pitcher Mike Kerins worked a complete game and allowed just six hits and two runs, in gaining the win. XU's Andres kept his hitting streak intact as well today with a hit in each game. His streak now stands at 19 games. Crandell's streak was snapped at 17 after failing to register a hit in game two.

Xavier will be at home on Tuesday against Indiana State. First pitch at Hayden Field is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. On Wednesday, the Musketeers will travel to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers in a 3:00 contest.