Bowling Green State University
XAVIER
Falcons Explode for 29 Runs Against Xavier, Win 29-25
May 01, 2001 | Baseball
May 1, 2001
Bowling Green, Ohio - Several school and individual records were tied or broken on "May Day" at Warren E. Steller Field as Bowling Green State University (31-11) exploded for 29 runs against visiting Xavier (20-29) and held on for a 29-25 victory. The 29 runs were the most scored by the Falcon baseball team since it plated 29 on March 19, 1989 against Illinois-Chicago (29-4).
By the first inning BGSU had already established a new school record when five runs scored to push the team's season run total over the previous school record of 414 set in 1999. The Falcons have now scored 441 runs this season (10.5 rpg.), good enough for third in the nation.
As a team, BGSU smacked nine doubles in the game, tying a school record. Three of those came off the bat of junior shortstop Nick Elrod. Elrod finished 4-of-6 at the plate, including a three-run homer, to give him eight runs batted in. The three doubles and eight RBIs tied a school record.
While Elrod was lacing doubles around the field, senior third baseman Scott Dukate was hitting the long ball, finishing with three home runs. Each of the round-trippers were good for two runs. The school record is held by Andy Tracy who hit four homers in 1995 against Wright State.
Sophomore DH/1B Kelly Hunt and senior outfielder Lee Morrison chimed in with two doubles apiece as BGSU finished with 13 extra-base hits (nine doubles and four home runs). Six Falcons ended with multiple hits and junior outfielder Len Elias and Dukate each recorded six RBIs each.
However, Xavier scored in each of the nine innings to keep the game close, including four in the top of the ninth, before freshman Clayton Booth entered with two outs and with one pitch got Jay Denit to ground out. It was Booth's fourth save of the season while the victory went to sophomore Brett Baumgartner (5-2).
BGSU entertains Oakland University on Wednesday, May 2, in a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m. (EST). The Falcons' last home series of the year is this weekend when Kent State comes to town for four games beginning on Friday, May 4.
