SXU’s Dreier celebrating with senior infielder Konnor Hutchings SXU Athletics
Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) baseball team started their series against Viterbo University on Thursday, April 3, at the Richard R. Ferrell Memorial Field and continued till Friday, April 4. SXU took game one of the series with a final score of 4-10 while in game two, SXU won 2-5 to give them a 2-0 lead. On Friday, Viterbo won game three, but lost game four, giving SXU the 3-1 series win
Game 1 Viterbo vs Saint Xavier University 4-10 (W)
Viterbo University took a 2-0 lead at the top of the first. The Cougars stormed back at the bottom of the first by collecting homeruns to from utility player Max Waszkiewicz and senior infielder Jutsin Massingale.
The Cougars took control of the game at the bottom of the fourth where they had four home runs from senior outfielder, Joeseph Jimenez, and graduate Student outfielder, Travis Hammond. Senior outfielder, Michael Flier, recorded two of them to secure a huge win.
Junior catcher, Aaron Ozrech, ended the game 2-3 from the plate. He also drove in five runs from four hits while Sophomore infielder/pitcher, Noah Dreier, had two runs on the statsheet.
Graduate Student, Jimmy Fairley, recorded his fifth win of the season as a pitcher. He tossed in 4.2 innings, allowing only four hits, two earned runs, and striking out three batters.
Senior Pitcher, Logan Antrim, whirrled 2.1 innings and he gave up one hit, two earned runs, and one strikeout.
Game 2 Viterbo vs Saint Xavier University 2-5 (W)
SXU’s game two was a 2-5 victory in which put the Cougars up 2-0. The game started off with SXU taking the advantage 0-2 after home runs from Jimenez and Flier.
At the bottom of the second, Drier scored to give the Cougars momentum moving forward.
Viterbo made a comeback at the bottom of the fifth to make the score 2-3 but SXU quickly responded with two home runs from senior outfiler Sean Moore and Massingale.
Viterbo could not find their way back into the game and the Cougars held on for the win.
Senior pitcher, Logan McCleery, threw in 6.0 innings. He allowed four hits with two earned runs, three walks and a strikeout.
Jimenez final stat line was three hits in four at bats with a double and a stolen base.
Pitcher Trent Markezich logged 3.0 innings. He did not allow any runner to base and also had three strikeouts.
Games three and four were played at Richard R. Ferrell Memorial Field. SXU lost game three 4-3 but later recovered with a 3-1 win to win the series three games to one,
Game 3 Viterbo vs Saint Xavier University 4-3 (L)
The Cougars opened up the scoring at the bottom of the second after a homerun from Flier.
At the bottom of the third, SXU had the 0-3 upper hand and it seemed like they would come out victorious once again.
Viterbo completed their comeback at the top of the sixth to give them the 4-3 edge. SXU couldn’t get any runs and the V-Hawks held on to win game three.
Junior pitcher, Thomas Plizga, started the game for SXU. He worked 3.2 innings. He prevented six hits with one earned run.
Orzech was 3-for-4 overall at the plate. Massingale went 1-4 from the plate and had one run scored with a stolen base.
Steig finished 2-for-3 with an RBI double.
Game 4 Viterbo vs Saint Xavier University 1-3 (W)
The V-hawks had momentum building entering game 4, looking to tie the series up but SXU had other plans with 1-3 triumph.
SXU scored their first homerun at the bottom of the first after Orzech reached first base after his hit went to third base. This allowed Moore to reach home base and get his team on the scoreboard.
At the bottom of the fifth, Moore hit the ball to the left field and junior infielder Beau Polickey scored the second homerun for the Cougars.
They scored their final home run at the bottom of the sixth after junior outfielder Shea Zbrozek reached first base after an error on the field. Orzech ran from third base to home and SXU had their third run of the evening.
Overall the Cougars showed their quality against a tough team like Viterbo, winning the series 3-1.
Junior outfielder, Noah Zielinski, gave his opinions on the game and how thought of the team’s performance. He stated “We played good defense all around for the most part. I wish we scored a little more in some places that we needed, but a good weekend overall for us.”
As things stand right now, SXU’s record is 18-16 as an overall record and 11-7 and they stand second in conference standings.
Their next mini will take place next Thursday when they take on Tuesday, April 8, when they visit Judson University. Game one is slated to start at 1:30 p.m while game two is set to start at 3:30 p.m.