The Saint Xavier men’s baseball team faced Saint Ambrose University two times this past week. The first of which, took place in Davenport Iowa on Friday March 24, where the Cougars pulled off an illustrious three run ninth inning comeback to ultimately win the matchup seven to six.
Saint Ambrose jumped the gun and scored two first inning runs while holding SXU to zero through the first two innings of play.
SXU eventually scored a run in the third inning before their rally in the fifth inning to score nine runs.
During the fifth inning, senior infielder, Joe Rycerz, smacked a double down the infield line and drove in three runners to give the Cougars a four to three lead.
Just two innings later however, in the bottom of the eighth, Saint Ambrose drove in three more runs of their own, reversing the lead to make it six to four in favor of the Fighting Bees.
That lead was short-lived as Saint Xavier responded with an offense of their own.
After a pop up to second base, the Cougars rallied with one out beginning with a bunt from freshman IF/OF, Matthew Barreca, that turned to an error allowing him to advance to first base.
Next to the plate, was senior infielder Declan Smyth, who singled to right center advancing runners to both first and second base.
Sophomore outfielder, Kevin Dowling, stepped up to the plate and rode the team’s momentum hitting a single down the left field line.
Senior infielder Patrick Doran, was called in to pinch hit who forced a walk and advanced to first base.
The stage was set.
Bases loaded, one out, down by two, seemingly all the pressure in the world.
Cool, calm, and collected, senior Joe Rycerz looked pressure dead in the eyes and smacked the baseball deep into right field on a sacrifice fly, driving in three runs and giving the Cougars a three run ninth inning lead.
The next batter for SXU would ground out ending the comeback, but all they needed to do was hold onto their victory in the bottom of the ninth.
The team would in fact hold onto their lead, not allowing a run, and walking away victorious.
After the game, head coach Addison Rouse, provided commentary on the state of the team and some insight into the future.
He said, “It’s a veteran group that is very experienced & battle tested. Expectations are high as we enter conference play.”
No doubt Saint Xavier has high expectations after their 2022 campaign which saw them advance to the CCAC quarterfinals with a record of 40-14-1.
Currently, the team sits with a record of 12-16 hoping to replicate their success last season throughout the remainder of this year.
SXU plays three games this next week, the first of which takes place on Friday March 31 at home against Calumet college at 3pm.
They face off two more times on Saturday April 1 at Calumet College beginning at 1pm.
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