While students of Saint Xavier University enjoyed a week off from school related activities, the baseball team embarked on a trip to Florida, and played a total of 11 games in a seven-day span. By the standards of Chicago, the weather here in early March brought fruitful optimism over what may be a long, heat filled summer.
Nothing compares to sunny and 75 degrees, however, and that was what the Cougars enjoyed as they competed in Auburndale, Florida. After a slow start to the season, SXU traveled to the Sunshine State looking to improve their record. Winning, of course, is always nice, but for Saint Xavier, the goal in Florida was to get as many repetitions as possible before the start of conference play on March 18.
All games mean something, but conference play signals the beginning of valuable wins, and losses. Head coach Rocco Mossuto did well to prepare his players for meaningful CCAC contests with 17 games played before SXU takes on Trinity International University this week.
Overall, several Cougars are putting together a strong season to this point. Sophomore ace, Tyler Hebel, is 2-1 in four starts with an impressive 2.14 ERA in 21 innings pitched. The right-handed pitcher also boasts a complete game shutout to his credit, along with 13 strikeouts, while holding opposing hitters to a .215 average.
Sophomore utility man Eric Eggert can do it all. Listed as an infielder, outfielder and pitcher, Eggert is proving to coach Mossuto that he is reliable. The Tinley Park native is slashing .261/.320/.348 with a triple and three RBIs at the dish, while also taking care of opposing batters on the mound. In six relief appearances, Eggert is 1-0 with three saves and owns a dominant 0.93 ERA while holding hitters to a miniscule .121 batting average against. In 9.2 innings, he has struck out 13 while only relinquishing one run.
At the plate, it is junior catcher Ryan Pellack leading the way for the Cougars. Pellack has played in all 17 games and is hitting .345 with a strong .901 OPS to go along with his three doubles, nine RBI and one big fly. Junior outfielder Bryan Polak joins Pellack as the only players with home runs on the year.
The Cougars competed in several tight games over the course of their spring break trip and finished 5-6, improving their overall record to 7-10. On Wednesday, March 9, the boys found themselves locked in a 10 inning battle with Evangel University.
Junior right-hander Robin Prokaski put together a valiant start by relinquishing only four hits, no runs, and four strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work. Freshman Anthony Chimera pitched well in relief and let up Evangel’s only run late in the contest.
This was definitely a pitcher’s duel as both Saint Xavier and Evangel waited until the last inning to get on the scoreboard. With the score tied at 0 in the 10th, Evangel led off the inning with a double, and demonstrated the perfect technique of getting a guy on, getting him over, and getting him in to score.
A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third with one out. The next Evangel batter hit a fly ball to left-field that was deep enough to allow the runner on third to tag up and score the game’s first run.
Saint Xavier trailed 1-0 going into the bottom half of the frame and needed to pick up their pitchers who put together a strong game.
Right on cue, freshman Garrett Bright led off with a single. Next hitter, Agustin Guerrero, joined the fun with a single of his own, putting Cougars on first and second with nobody out.
After a sacrifice bunt to put the tying run at third and winning run at second, Erik Eggert was intentionally walked to load the bases. Pinch hitting for freshman David Strom, junior Tom Hayes reached on a throwing error by Evangel’s third baseman, which tied the game at one.
Later, with two outs and bases loaded, top hitter Ryan Pellack made sure to seal the deal. Pellack came through with a game-winning RBI single to give the Cougars a dramatic 2-1 victory. A day later, Saint Xavier squared off with CCAC opponent Trinity Christian College in a non-conference matchup.
Ryan Pellack was evidently still juiced over his heroic performance a day prior, as the junior belted a two-run home run in the first inning to get the Cougars going early. Saint Xavier never looked back from then on. Freshman Brett Smith pitched well in six innings against a tough Trolls lineup.
Second baseman Garrett Bright, shortstop Mark Martin and designated hitter Mike Owens each pitched in with RBIs to their credit. The Cougars totaled 12 hits in the game and SXU pitchers held the Trolls to three runs.
After allowing a home run and a single, Smith was relieved of his duties for closer Erik Eggert. After an error, Eggert shut the Trolls down in order and tallied his third save of the season. Saint Xavier won the game 7-3.
The Cougars, however, would lose their last game in Florida to the Webber International Warriors. The game was closely contested, but the Cougars would lose the game 5-3. Conference play is up next for the Cougars, starting with a three game series against Trinity International.
Mike Rankin
Sports Contributor
About Post Author
