PHOENIX, Ariz. – Xavier was unable to battle back from an early 4-0 deficit at Mercer on Saturday, falling victim to the early longball in a 5-3 loss at Claude Smith Field.
The Musketeers (0-6) saw Mercer hit three home runs in the first three innings, building an early 4-0 lead and chasing starter Greg Jacknewitz. The Bears got a solo shot in the first and then a pair in the third, including a two-run bomb from 2015 Second Team All-American Kyle Lewis – his second of the series.
Xavier scratched its way back into the game, however, getting a run back in the fourth on Sam Flamini's first career hit.