Nick Altobelli batting against Spring Arbor University SXU Athletics
Saint Xavier’s baseball team traveled down to Tennessee over the weekend to take on Spring Arbor University (MI). Luckily, the teams were able to get in Friday’s games before Saturday’s games were canceled due to weather conditions.
The Cougars opened the 2024 season with a pair of victories that were supported by strong performances on offense and on the mound.
SXU vs. Spring Arbor University: 8-2 (W– 7 innings)
Spring Arbor had a 0-2 lead through five innings before the SXU offense initially exploded.
All eight Saint Xavier runs came in the sixth inning, with scoring getting started off an error from the SAU second baseman. The error resulted in a first career RBI for freshman John Simecek; he went 1-3 in his college debut with one RBI.
Following the error, sophomore Aaron Orzech doubled to left field to give the Cougars a 3-2 lead.
Orzech finished the day 1-3 with two RBIs.
Three runs were all the Cougars would need, but scoring continued and they piled on five more insurance runs.
Junior Nico Saldias was the starter for SXU, going five innings– allowing two runs on five hits and recording four strikeouts in his first start of the season.
Junior Noah Scott came in for the last two innings to get the win. He allowed just one hit and collected one strikeout.
SXU vs. SAU: 7-2 (W)
Game two of the double-header saw more forceful performances on the mound and on offense, winning by five runs and holding SAU to two runs again.
Senior Julian Vargas was the starter in game two, going 5.2 innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits to get the win. Vargas didn’t allow any walks and collected three strikeouts in his first appearance.
Senior Jimmy Fairley and sophomore Heath Mann split the bullpen duties to finish out the game. They combined for zero runs and three strikeouts to send SXU home with a win.
The game was knotted up at one-all through four and a half innings before Orzech opened the game up with a three-run homer to left, putting SXU up 4-1.
Saint Xavier scored three insurance runs in the seventh, including the first collegiate RBI for freshman Nick Altobelli in a pinch-hit situation.
The Cougars looked good and fresh coming out of the gate and look to continue this kind of play in their next games,
The team will once again travel to Millington, TN., for the 2024 Midwest Clash. Their first game will be Saturday the 17 against the University of Northwestern Ohio and first pitch is scheduled for Noon.