MASON, Ohio – Miami fell to the Xavier Musketeers in round one of the annual Joe Nuxhall Classic on Tuesday, 6-4, after being shut out during the game's final eight innings.
David Novak batted in three of Miami's four runs, hitting a three-run homer in the top of the first inning. The RedHawks fall to 17-15 with the loss while the Musketeers improve to 19-14.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The RedHawks scored all four of their runs in the top of the first inning. Dillon Baker led off with a single for Miami and advanced to second base on a groundout. Evan Appelwick walked and Anthony Zarlingo singled down the right-field line to give Miami a 1-0 lead. David Novak stepped up to the plate and hammered a three-run home run to left field on an empty count to put Miami ahead 4-0.
- Xavier chipped away in the bottom of the first, answering with two runs on three hits.
- The Musketeers tied the ballgame in the bottom of the third, scoring on their fourth hit of the inning, a two-run double.
- Xavier added one insurance run in the seventh and another in the eighth to wrap up a 6-4 final score.
- Miami put 10 total runners on the bases after the first inning, but stranded them all.
MIAMI GAME NOTES:
- Zarlingo went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run.
- Novak went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and a run.
UP NEXT: Miami will face either Wright State or Cincinnati tomorrow in the second and final round of Joe Nuxhall Classic, playing for third place. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.