SXU’s Konnor Hutchings rounding the bases SXUAthletics
SXU’s baseball team started their four game series going up against Calumet College of St. Joseph on Fri. Mar. 29 and Sat. 30.
In the first two games on Friday, the Cougars came out victorious with two great performances in Whiting, Ind. The Cougars hosted games three and four as Calumet College took game three but SXU regrouped and won the series 3-1
Game 1: 9-2 (Seven Innings, W
In the first game of the series Saint Xavier triumphed 9-2 in seven innings of play. They opened up the scoring at the top of the first when junior right fielder Justin Massingale scored on an error.
Junior left fielder Sean Moore added another run to the scoreboard at the top of the third to give SXU a 2-0 advantage.
Freshman center fielder Nick Altobelli and Massingale gave SXU a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth after Calumet College tied the game at the bottom of the fourth.
Junior shortstop Konnor Hutchings tripled to center field and drove in Altobelli and Massingale.
Freshman third baseman John Simecek singled to left field and Hutchings came around to score to gain a 5-2 edge.
In the top of the seventh, freshman second baseman Noah Dreier hit a three-run home run to cap off an excellent performance and take game one of the series.
Game 2: 9-5 (W)
The second game on Friday evening, SXU displayed another good offensive game, winning 9-5.
A quick start at the top of the first, which included a double and triple, gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead to put them on the forefront.
In the top of the top of the fourth SXU added another run with Dreier singling to center field and Simecek coming around with the run.
SXU tallied three more runs in the eighth; Hutchings scored on a passed ball, Simecek scored on an error by the shortstop, and Dreier scored on a sacrifice fly.
The Cougars were in a comfortable position going into the ninth, up 8-0, but added an insurance run to make it 9-0.
Calumet College scored five runs at the bottom of the ninth, but it was too late for a comeback and SXU took a 2-0 lead in the series.
Game 3: 6-2 (Seven Innings, L)
SXU hosted game three as Calumet College played better and took the victory 6-2. SXU did not display the best offensive game.
The Cougars’ first run came at the bottom of the first with Moore scoring on a bases loaded walk.
Calumet College took control of the game at the top of the second, scoring four runs, and ran away with the game.
Saint Xavier could not get any offense going until the seventh when Hutchings hit a solo homer to right to make it a 6-2 game.
Moore was 1-3 and had four stolen bases with a walk and Altobelli was 0-1 with three walks
Game 4: 8-3 (W)
SXU recovered to win game four 8-3. Their first three runs came in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of errors by the Crimson Wave.
Moore added another run at the bottom of the fifth to give SXU a 4-0 lead.
Saint Xavier had the upper hand going into the top of the seventh, but the Crimson Wave surged back to make it a one-run game but the Cougars retook control of the game in the bottom of the seventh.
Hutchings doubled to right field, which brought around Massingale and freshman designated hitter Troy Stukenberg.
They capped off the game with two more runs to secure a 3-1 series win over Calumet College
The Cougar’s record stands at 16-15 and 9-5 in conference play.. They’re currently second in CCAC standings, right behind University of Saint Francis.
Saint Xavier will start their next four game series on Fri. Apr. 5 facing off against Roosevelt University. SXU will host games one and two. Games three and four will take place at Roosevelt in Crestwood IL.
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