SXU’s Troy Stukenburg batting SXU Athletics
SXU’s baseball team matched up against non-conference opponent Eastern Illinois University on Wed., Apr. 17 at the Coaches Stadium in Charleston, IL. It was a close game with not too many offensive displays, but SXU recorded another victory on the road, winning 4-2.
With another win added to the books, the Cougars have won five out of six games. It was a significant win as this was their first win over NCAA DI Eastern Illinois since May 4, 2005. The series between these two teams are now even at three since their first game back in 1991.
Saint Xavier opened the scoring at the top of the third when junior outfielder Justin Massingale hit a home run, driving in junior outfielder Sean Moore to take a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers evened the game at the bottom of the third, but the Cougars came right back at the top of the fifth.
Moore reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second and third before coming in on an EIU error. Massingale reached first on the error but the Cougars could not bring him around.
Moore drove in the last run of the game for the Cougars with an RBI single to center that brought around junior outfielder Michal Flier to extend the lead to 4-2.
Sophomore pitcher Heath Mann ended the game in the bottom of the ninth by getting a swinging strikeout. Mann had his first save of the season. He ended the game with one hit, a walk, and one strikeout.
Junior pitcher Logan McCleery was the starter and threw three innings. His final stats included two hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Junior pitcher/infielder Sebastian Parchomenko tossed in 1.1 innings and gave up two hits, a walk, and recorded three strikeouts.
Senior pitcher Max Smyth logged 1.2 innings and he permitted one base runner on a walk.
Junior pitcher Logan Antrim threw for two innings and collected the win. His statline had one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts.
Moore was 2-4 on the day, and also added two stolen bases and two runs scored.
Freshman infielder Troy Stukenburg finished the game 2-3 from the plate and had one walk.
Flier went 2-4 with a run scored in the win.
Freshman catcher Victor Zaragoza concluded the game with six putouts and three assists.
As a team SXU had 27 putouts and 11 assists in the win.
After this win, SXU’s record improves to 25-19 as an overall record, 17-9 in their conference, and 13-10 in home games. They sit second in the standings and are one win shy off of No. 1 St. Francis.
In their next games, the Cougars will be on the road once again, first taking on Olivet Nazarene University on Tues., Apr. 23.
SXU then will have another series which they will face off against Trinity Christian College starting on Fri., Apr. 26. Games one and two will be in Palos Heights, while three and four at Ferrell Field.
The Cougars are looking to continue to build up wins as the end of the season is approaching and postseason baseball is around the corner.