Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – Xavier opened up a 5-0 lead after six innings, four of which were of the unearned variety, and never looked back in handing La Salle a 5-1 defeat on Friday afternoon at Hank DeVincent Field. Seniors Jeff Flax and Adam Kammler, along with sophomore George Smith, Jr., all had two hits for the Explorers.

Senior Eric Van Wyk threw 5.1 innings and allowed just one earned run. He suffered the loss to fall to 3-7, despite only surrendering five hits and striking out three.

Senior Caolan Ronan threw 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, getting all but two outs on ground balls.

In the second, Xavier's Tres Eberhardt doubled to lead off the frame and the Explorers couldn't handle the ensuing sacrifice bunt by Zach Elliott, which allowed Eberhardt to score from second.  Elliott moved all the way to third and then scored on a safety squeeze by Daniel Rod.

The 2-0 lead remained for the Musketeers until the fifth when they tacked on a run. Brian Bruening reached on an error to start the frame and scored on Eberhardt's two-out single.

Bruening's double scored a run in the sixth, the only earned run of the contest. He came around to score on a misplayed ground ball to complete the scoring for XU.

La Salle (17-27, 4-12 A-10) got its only run in the ninth. Senior Tony Negrin led off with a pinch-hit single and came around to score on a pinch-hit fielder's choice by freshman Kevin Conroy.

Vinny Nittoli (4-4) threw seven shutout innings, scattering six hits and striking out four for the victory. Eberhardt had three hits to lead the Musketeers (23-24, 9-7 A-10).

The series resumes on Saturday at 1 PM.