(Port Charlotte, FL) - The Xavier Muskateers used a three-run sixth inning to beat the Sacred Heart Baseball team 4-1 Monday afternoon the Pioneers' first day of action at the Snowbird Baseball Classic at North Charlotte Regional Park.

Troy Scribner (Washington Depot, CT) and Xavier lefty Alex Westrick locked in a scoreless battle through five innings until Vinny Nittoli drove in the game's first run with an RBI single down the first-base line.  He later came home on a slow roller to shortstop that went as an error, followed by a Mitch Elliot RBI single.  Brian Bruenning made it 4-0 in the seventh with a two-out seeing-eye single to right with two outs.

Dave Boisture (Highland Mills, NY) drove in SHU's lone run on the day with an RBI single to right-center with two outs in the eighth off reliever Nathan Mutsch.  However, Alex Vice locked down the Muskateer victory with a scoreless ninth for the save.

Despite making three errors, the Pioneers made some great defensive plays on the afternoon as well.  Hunter Phillips (Monroe, CT) made a diving catch of a line drive towards centerfield by Daniel Reed to end the fifth.  Derick Horn (Valatie, NY) threw out four runners attempting to steal.  Scribner also made a good defensive play, throwing out Joe Forney at the plate on a safety squeeze attempt in the third.

Scribner went 5.1 innings, giving up two earned runs in scattering six hits and striking out four.

The Pioneers take on Pittsburgh Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 pm, with Nick Leiningen (Millwood, NY) getting the start on the mound.