ETSU junior Reid Casey struck out 15 Xavier batters, but it wasn’t enough as the Musketeers ruined the Bucs’ home opener with a 5-3 win at Cardinal Park.
Casey struck out the side three times and recorded at least one strikeout in seven of his eight innings.
Xavier (2-3) starter Jeff Barger earned his first victory of the season with a nine-hit, eight strikeout performance.
Second baseman Jeff Crandell stroked two hits and had one RBI in the win.
The ETSU offense was led by third baseman Andy Baxter who collected two RBIs on sacrifice flies. Senior Nathan Copeland went 2-4 with one RBI in the loss.
The Bucs struck early as Copeland’s double plated Brandon Cross in the first inning. ETSU threatened in the third but a spectacular diving catch by centerfielder Lucas Dines , on a Baxter sacrifice, save two runs but did score Jeremy Terry.
Xavier got on the board in the fourth inning with two runs. After one out, Ty Brening doubled and started the rally. He later scored on a Russ Reyes single.
Mark Andres came home when Casey walked Matt Tedford with the bases loaded. The Musketeers took a 3-2 lead in the fifth when Ryan Schreen scored his second run of the game, this one on a double-play grounder.
The Musketeers added another run in the eighth when Jarret Sues hit a fly ball into right field that carried rightfielder John Gorton onto the treacherous hill.
ETSU plays Tennessee on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Author