KINGSTON, RI --- With the exception of one controversial call that may have cost them the game, the Musketeers (21-30, 8-10 Atlantic 10) had a very good day. Rhode Island (24-22, 7-11 Atlantic 10) took game one with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning by a final of 5-4. Xavier, behind Kevin Cave’s (Levittown, PA) three-hit pitching performance, won game two by a score of 6-2.

In game one, the Musketeers took the early lead. After both teams went scoreless through four innings, Xavier’s Alec Moss (Sherman Oaks, CA) was singled in by Ed Bongard (Philadelphia, PA) to break the tie. The Musketeers added another in the sixth. Jeff Crandell (Lothian, MD) doubled and scored when Jarret Sues (Middletown, NJ) ripped a base hit to right field. XU led 2-0.

Rhode Island bounced back in the bottom of the inning. The Rams finally got to XU starter Jeff Barger (Hamilton, OH) with five hits and three runs. Mike Schiappa’s two-run double was the big hit of the inning. XU trailed 3-2.

Xavier regained the lead in the top of the seventh with base hits by Eric Greenwell (Bridgeton, MO) and Ryan Schreen (South Elgin, IL) and a double by Ty Brenning (Urbana, OH).

Things got ugly in the bottom of the seventh. With men on first and second base with two outs, URI attempted a double steal. XU catcher Bongard threw to third base and the third base umpire made no call. He then discussed the issue with the home plate umpire before finally announcing the runner safe. The next batter then lobbed a single into right field for the 5-4 URI win.

The Rams were helpless against Cave in the second game. The sophomore hurled a three-hit complete game, striking out seven batters along the way.

Sues led the offensive surge for the Musketeers as he clubbed two home runs and two singles in a 4-for-4, three RBI effort.

After one run in the second, XU tacked on two more in the third and one in the fourth inning. Brenning scored once and Greenwell crossed twice, with RBI hits coming from Sues and Brenning.

Sues then launched his second homer of the game in the fifth, giving XU the 5-2 lead. They went on to win by a final of 6-2.

Just before his team was ready to close the door on game two, XU Head Coach John Morrey made it clear that he had not forgotten about the controversial call in game one. The coach was ejected with one out left after he emerged from the dugout and voiced his disgust with the call that very well may have lost XU the first game.

The split moves Xavier to 8-10 in the conference with four games left to play.