Xavier Downs Troy in Nightcap to Split Doubleheader

Saturday, February 18

Troy, Ala.

4 PM

Troy University

1-2

Xavier

2-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Xavier	0	2	0	0	1	1	0	4	0	8	11	0
Troy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	5	0

Photo by: Joey Meredith

Xavier Downs Troy in Nightcap to Split Doubleheader

2/18/2017 6:59:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Adam Prendergast

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Troy Walks Off Xavier to Open Twin Bill

TROY, Alabama – Xavier took advantage of a pair of early runs and a big eighth inning to defeat Troy, 8-2, in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader at Riddle-Pace Field; Troy won the opener 2-1 in 10 innings.

The Musketeers (2-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a leadoff home run by Conor Grammes and a two-out double off the bat of Nate Monastra in the second inning. Xavier added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings before putting the game out of reach with a four-spot in the eighth inning.

The Trojans (1-2) had an opportunity to cut into the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after back-to-back singles from Steven Whitaker and Drew Frederic to open the frame. However, Trent Astle retired the next three Troy batters to preserve the 4-0 lead. Astle (1-0) took the win for Xavier after tossing six shutout innings with three strikeouts and no walks around three hits.

Frederic led the Trojans with a pair of hits, including the first triple of the season by a Trojan. Monastra and Grammes both had two hits for the Musketeers. Daren Osby (0-1) suffered the loss for the Trojans after he was tagged with three runs on five hits over five innings with five strikeouts.

Brody Binder cashed in a pair of runs for Troy in the bottom of the ninth with a two-out double to right-center following a Joey Denison walk and Brandon Lockridge single.

Moments that Mattered:
• Troy had chances to get back in the game in both the third and sixth innings. Frederic roped a two-out triple in the third, while Whitaker and Frederic combined for back-to-back singles to lead off the sixth inning. However, the Trojans were held off the board in both innings.

Noteworthy
• Troy pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in the game and now have struck out 42 batters over the first three games of the season (13.5 K/9)

WHAT'S NEXT
The Trojans and Musketeers will wrap up their four-game series to open the season Sunday at 12 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field.

Probable Starters for Game 4:
Xavier: LHP Greg Jacknewitz
Troy: RHP Houston Mabray