SXU’s Noah Dreier taking in the game SXU Athletics
The baseball team faced off against Judson University in a four game series that kicked off on Fri., Apr. 12 in Elgin IL., and continued on Sat., Apr. 12 at Ferrell Field.
SXU came out victorious in the first two games, ending them after seven innings. Both games saw the Cougars display an excellent offensive performance.
Game One: 10-2 (Seven Innings, W)
The Cougars visited Judson in Elgin where they took game one with a 10-2 win
Saint Xavier opened up their scoring at the top of the second with freshman infielder/pitcher Noah Dreier tied the game by scoring on an error.
Junior utility player Konnor Hutchings gave SXU the lead and junior outfielder Michael Flier added SXU’s third run after senior catcher Evan Orzech was hit by the pitch.
Junior outfielder/pitcher Sean Moore and Orzech kept the offense going in the third and junior infielder/catcher Mason Johnson, Hutchings, and junior utility player Justin Massingale sealed off the game. Orzech singled to right field and opened the lane for Massingale to score.
Orzexh had three putouts while Johnson recorded seven. Hutchings ended the game with two putouts, and two assists. As a team Saint Xavier had 21 putouts.
Sophomore Trent Markezich got the win and tossed six innings with three strikeouts and two runs on two hits. FreshmanTrevor Syer made his collegiate debut on the mound in the seventh nd had two walks.
Game Two: 16-4 (Seven Innings, W)
In the second game of action, the Cougars collected another thrilling 16-4 victory to take a 2-0 series lead.
The first four innings were a tilt from which both teams could not get going on offense.
It was at the top of the fifth when SXU went on a rampage and stole the game from Judson and took complete control.
Massingal hit a home run and it gave Saint Xavier the 3-2 upperhand.
Orzech, freshman infielder Troy Stukenber, freshman utility player Nick Atolbelli, Dreier, Hutchings, Johnson, and Moore all scored runs to dominate and give JU no chance to get back into the game.
Hutchings had two hits in three at-bats, with a double and one run.
Game Three: 6-5 (L)
SXU unfortunately couldn’t win game three on Sat., Apr. 13 after Judson came out and snuck out a one-run triumph at Ferrell Field.
The Cougars had a strong start to the game, being up 4-0 at the end of the bottom of the first.
Massingale and Moore had runs along with Dreier hitting a home run and opening the field for Stukenber to add another run.
Judson started a comeback at the top of the fourth and tied the game at four and took a 6-4 lead in the fifth.
Even after SXU’s phenomenal start they could not get the offense going.Massingale added another home run to make it 6-5, getting them back in the game. Both teams went a bit cold, but Judson had enough to hold on.
Orzech had three putouts and one assist. Stuckentburg listed six putouts and an assist.
Johnson ended the game with seven putouts and Massingale registered two putouts.
Dreier went 1-3 with two RBIs.
Game Four: 11-3 (W)
The Cougars ended their series by winning 3-1 and posted an 11-3 victory.
It was another good start at the bottom of the second. Freshman catcher Victor Zaragoza homered, which brought around Johnson and Dreier to extend the lead to 4-0.
Massingale went 3-4 and finished off the game with two runs scored.
Moore had another big game with three hits in four attempts, he also collected three runs and two steals.
Orzech went 3-4 with two RBIs, two doubles, and two runs.
The Cougars Record after this series win is 24-19 as an overall record and 17-9 in conference. They sit second in the standings and want to reach the No. 1 seed as they advance through the end of the season.
Saint Xavier’s next game will be Wed. Apr. 17 when they visit Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.
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