Xavier rides early four-run lead to earn the victory
Xavier spoiled Ohio’s first game at Bob Wren Stadium this season by defeating the Bobcats 9-5 on Tuesday afternoon.
It was the eighth consecutive victory for Xavier between the two teams dating back to 2006.
The Musketeers (8-16) got on the scoreboard in the first inning with an RBI single by Brian Bruening, which scored Nate Soria. Soria belted a three-run homerun with two outs in the second inning to extend Xavier’s lead to 4-0.
That was all the Musketeers would need as both teams plated five apiece over the next seven innings.
Bobcats’ starter Jake Rudnicki was chased in the fourth inning with two outs and a runner on first. He gave up six earned runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out one in three and two-thirds innings to get tagged with the loss.
Down 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Bobcats fought back with a towering two-run homerun by Tyler Wells. Wells led Ohio (12-9) in offense with two hits, two RBIs and one run scored.
The loss extended Ohio's losing streak to three games. The team has been outscored 22-8 in that time.
