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Box Score
MASON, OHIO – Juniors Chris Morris (Matawan, N.J.) and Andrew Politi (Long Valley, N.J.) combined to allow only two hits, but the Seton Hall baseball team fell to Xavier, 2-1, at Prasco Park on Thursday.
Politi was brilliant in relief, tossing four perfect innings with six strikeouts. He also picked off a batter in the fifth innings.
Turning Point:
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Xavier broke the scoreless tie. Seton Hall starter Chris Morris (Matawan, N.J.) gave up a two-run home run to Chris Givin, which put the Musketeers in front, 2-0. The home run was one of only two hits allowed by Morris, but it was all the offense needed for Xavier.
In the top of the ninth inning, junior Al Molina (Freehold, N.J.) led off with a solo home run to cut the Musketeer lead to 2-1. With two outs, Mike Caputo (Morganville, N.J.) drew a walk, and advanced to second on a single up the middle by Ryan Ramiz (Freehold, N.J.). The tying run however, was stranded in scoring position.
Inside the Numbers:
- Morris allowed only two hits over four innings, but he walked six batters and struck out three.
- Ramiz was the lone Pirate with two hits. He also had two stolen bases.
- Xavier's Zac Lowther earned the win with six innings of scoreless baseball. He struck out nine.
- Seton Hall left six men on base, while Xavier left five.
- Givin's home run is only the second Morris has allowed in his career, and the first since his freshman season.
- Molina's home run is his second of the season and the 11th for the Pirates in 2017.
- Seton Hall has committed more than one error only once in its last 12 games.
- The Pirates have committed zero errors in a game nine times and four of their last five games.
- Seton Hall falls to 6-5 all-time against Xavier.
Seton Hall will continue its three-game series at Xavier tomorrow when the series moves on-campus to Hayden Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
LINE SCORE
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
SETON HALL (15-15, 1-3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0
Xavier (19-15, 2-2) 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 X 2 2 0
WIN: Zac Lowther (3-2) LOSS: Chris Morris (0-2) SAVE: Trey Schramm (1)
http://www.shupirates.com/news/2017...dominates-but-pirates-drop-pitchers-duel.aspx
