ATHENS, Ohio (April 5, 2000) -- Senior right-hander Jeff Rook (Fairfield) hit a first-inning three-run home run and pitched six solid innings to lead Ohio past Xavier, 6-3, in college baseball action at Bob Wren Stadium on Wednesday.

The Bobcats scored first when junior Andrew See (Adrian, Mich.) doubled to center and came home on a single to left by junior Ryan Kyes (White Lake, Mich.). Rook's homer drove in Kyes and sophomore Cory Keylor (Westerville), this week's MAC Pepsi Player of the Week, to give the Bobcats a 4-0 lead after the first inning.

Ohio added two runs in the bottom of the third on a two-run homer by junior Chuck Lombardy (Chagrin Falls). He drove in Rook who had singled to third with one out.

Xavier posted one run in the fifth and two more in the seventh, but a ninth-inning rally was stopped by sophomore Ohio reliever Casey McKinney (Troy), who pitched the final three innings for his first save of the season. Xavier had two men on and the tying run at the plate when McKinney struck out Jarret Sues to end the game.

Rook (2-2) allowed just three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts for the win. McKinney stuck out four in his ninth relief appearance. James Siefker (3-4) took the loss for the Musketeers.

Ohio will travel to Ball State in Muncie, Ind., for a MAC doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.