April 6, 2011

Final Stats

ATHENS, Ohio - Despite a 5-1 lead after five innings of play, the Ohio baseball team fell to Xavier 7-5 at Bob Wren Stadium on Wednesday night in a non-conference game. Trace Voshell and Bryan Barnes both hit home runs in the second and third innings, respectively, to give the Bobcats an early advantage.

After Xavier (17-14) plated the game's first run in the top of the first, Voshell leveled the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second with a solo shot to left center. It was his fourth homer of the season. Ohio (15-14) grew the lead to 3-1 in its half of the third on a one-out home run to right field by Barnes.

Starting pitcher Tyler Backstrom set down eight straight Musketeers from the end of the third through the top of the sixth. Backstrom went 5.1 innings, allowed four hits and struck out two batters.

Xavier scored three times in the sixth on a fielder's choice by Mark Elwell and an RBI single from Patrick Paligraf. The Musketeers pulled within one after their half of the fifth. The score was 5-4 in favor of Ohio.

The Musketeers took the lead for good in the top of the seventh. An RBI double down the left field line by Ben Thomas tied the score at five, and a sacrifice fly by Elwell put Xavier ahead for good. After a three-run seventh, Xavier took a 7-5 lead.

Brian Muransky claimed the win for Xavier. He threw six innings and allowed five runs, four of which were earned and gave up seven hits. Muransky struck out six Bobcats and improved to 3-1 on the year. Seth Willoughby pitched a perfect ninth to earn his seventh save of the year.

Brett Barber took the loss for Ohio and fell to 3-1 on the year.

The Bobcats begin a three-game series at Mid-American Conference foe Western Michigan this weekend. The first game of the set is slated for Friday, April 8. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.