May 23, 2008

Boxscore | Photo Gallery  | Xavier Head Coach Scott Googins Post-Game Audio

CAMDEN, N.J - Senior Michael Lucas earned his team-leading seventh victory of the season and top-seeded Xavier scored all nine of its runs over the first three innings as it earned a 9-5 win over No. 3 Duquesne on Friday afternoon at Campbell's Field in an elimination game at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship.

The Musketeers (26-30) will face fifth-seeded Rhode Island at 7:30pm on Friday evening, with the winner advancing to take on defending champion Charlotte on Saturday in the finals.

Lucas, a first-team All-Conference selection, improved to 7-2 on the year after yielding five runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings. The righthander struck out four and walked four in his 13th start of the season.

"He came out first inning, shut them down and gave us a chance," said Xavier head coach Scott Googins, the 2008 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

"It's a big game, he's a senior and that's what you expect. He did a great job."

XU jumped to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first against Duquesne starter Matt Passauer (2-2), with junior shortstop Jordan Conley providing a clutch two-out single that scored junior Steve Brown and designated hitter Bobby Freking. The Musketeers added a run in the second before exploding for five runs in the third inning, highlighted by RBI singles from second baseman Drew Schmidt and junior Sean Farrell.

The Dukes got on the board in the fourth as centerfielder Bill Torre stroked a one out double, stole third and came around to score on a RBI groundout by designated hitter Dante Plassio. Duquesne then mounted a comeback in the eighth to pull within 9-5, scoring four runs off of Lucas on four hits, with the big blow coming on a two-run double by Plassio. However, junior Joe Kohler pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to secure the Musketeers 26th win of the season. Brown led XU with a pair of hits as eight different players scored at least one run.

"I told the guys after yesterday's loss that we're still in this thing and just stay positive," said Googins.

Torre enjoyed a 2-for-4 afternoon at the plate with two runs scored, while Plassio knocked in three for Duquesne (26-29-1), which earned its first Championship berth since 2005 and tied the program's single-season record for wins.

For complete coverage of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship, log on to www.atlantic10.org