April 5, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - In the series finale between the Explorers and Musketeers in Atlantic 10 Conference action on Sunday at Hank DeVincent Field, the teams combined for more runs in a La Salle Baseball league game in more than four years as Xavier takes the contest, 18-12.

The 30 combined runs is the most in an A-10 game since La Salle beat Duquesne in Pittsburgh on March 20, 2005 - 17-15. It also marks the most runs scored in any game since the 2006 season - a 20-13 loss at Delaware.

The last time two teams combined for at least 30 runs at Hank DeVincent Field was during the 2000 season - when the Explorers lost to Drexel, 19-12, on May 3. That season teams combined for 30 runs at La Salle four times.

All 18 starters had a hit and each either scored at least a run or drove one in.

Highlighting the Explorers offense was TJ Chism, who had three hits including a two-run home run - his seventh of the season, and also scored another run. He now has knocked in 30 runs and scored 31 times in 25 games.

Tony Negrin also had three hits including a double, while John Malloy (two runs, one RBI, solo home run), Jeff Flax (two runs, two RBI, double), Justin Handler (one run, two RBI, double), and Zack Feierstein (one run, two RBI) all had a pair of hits.

Xavier (15-11, 5-4 A-10) was led by Bobby Freking, who had four hits and scored three times, and Ben Thomas, who had three hits including a three-run home run and drove in five total.

The Musketeers were aided by a handful of La Salle errors, which allowed eight of their runs to cross the plate. That included the five spot they put up in the fourth inning that turned a three-run advantage into an 11-3 lead.

La Salle (11-15, 2-7 A-10) will take Monday off, but will have a busy week. The Explorers host Temple on Tuesday (3 PM) and Coppin State on Wednesday (3 PM) before travelling to Rhode Island for a three-game set on Friday (3 PM) and Saturday (DH-12 PM).