SXU’s Sean Moore SXU Athletics
The Saint Xavier University (SXU) Baseball team tied 2-2 in their series against Indiana University at South Bend on Friday and Saturday March 21 and March 22. Two games took place at South Bend, Ind. and two in Ferrell Field.
Game 1 Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 6-2 (W)
The Cougars came out victorious in game 1 with a score of 6-2 on Friday, March 21. Graduate student Jimmy Fairley threw in 5.0 innings with five strikeouts to give him a record of 3-1 as he helped SXU earn a crucial victory.
Senior outfielder, Joseph Jimenez, had three runs on three base hits. Jimenez was just one of six players to collect two or more RBI’s in this matchup.
Sophomore infielder, Noah Dreier, had two doubles in three at bats with a run scored. SXU designated hitter Aaron Orzech was 1-2 on hit attempts.
Senior outfielder, Sean Moore, concluded the game 0-1 from batting. He also had a final stat line of three walks, scoring twice and getting a steal at base.
The Cougars took the lead at the top of the fourth after home runs from outfielder Brandon Gutierrez and Dreier.
At the top of the seventh, SXU scored their fifth and sixth runs to secure the game and give them a 1-0 lead in the series.
Game 2 Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 19-9 (W) 7 innings
Game two took place at Indiana South Bend with the Cougars dominating for another win at a score of 19-9 to take a 2-0 series lead on Friday, March 21.
Jimenez was an overall 3-4 from hit attempts and scored two runs.
At the top of the first, SXU took a 3-0 from runs from infielder Taylor Steig, Orzech, and Jimenez.
At the top of the fourth, the Cougars found themselves up 10-1. Senior outfielder, Michael Flier, and senior utility player, Justin Massingale.
Senior infielder, Konnor Hutchings, went 1-2 with three runs scored and two walks.
It was a commanding win for the Cougars as they entered game three with all the momentum.
Game 3 Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 4-8 (L)
Game three had to be moved to Saint Xavier after Indiana’s field could not be used. Indiana South Bend received and got themselves back into the series by winning 8-4 on Saturday, March 22.
The game started with a 4-0 IUSB and SXU got back into the game at the bottom of the sixth after scoring four home runs and making the score 4-6.
Moore went 1-4 on bat hits and Senior pitcher Noah Scott was a part of 0.2 innings and also issued a walk.
It was a tough loss for the Cougars on their home field.
Game 4: Saint Xavier University vs. Indiana South Bend 2-3 (L)
The Cougars could not get a last run and lost game four of this series at home on Saturday, March 22, as IUSB tied the series with a final score of 2-3. It was a low scoring game compared to the others but the Cougars could not capitalize.
Senior pitcher, Logan Antrim, recorded the final two outs with one strikeout.
Moore had one hit in five at bats. Outfielder Travis Hammond finished 1-for-3 with an RBI single.
It was a close game at the end, but SXU could not get the game winning runs to close out IUSB.
Their next series will be against the University of St. Francis. Games one and two will be at Ferrell Field on Friday, March 28, and three and four will be in Joliet, IL on Saturday, March 29. Game 1 is stated to start at 12 p.m., while game two will be right after at 2:30 p.m.. Game three is set to start at 1:00 p.m and game four is at 3:30 p.m.