This past week, the Saint Xavier baseball team played four games, the first of which against NCAA division one opponent Eastern Illinois University, and three against CCAC foe Trinity International University.
The first matchup came on Wednesday April 19 against Eastern Illinois University where the Cougars fell 5-0.
Errors were the difference in the game and led to SXU’s demise.
EIU scored one run in the first inning when their leadoff hitter was hit by pitch. He advanced to second on a past ball and scored on an error.
Sophomore pitcher Logan McCleery shined for the team pitching the first four innings, allowing just one hit and one unearned run.
Eastern Illinois only scored one run over the first six innings of the game but their offense exploded in the seventh inning. They scored four runs, putting the game out of reach for Saint Xavier.
Head coach Addison Rouse explained the team’s mentality entering the matchup.
He said, “The EIU game was great… The mindset was simple, competing is way more productive than a chill late year practice. This game definitely served its purpose.”
The offense struggled to get going during the game but SXU was able to hang with a tough division one opponent for the majority of the game.
Coach Rouse after the game added, “The opponent was a step up, so we had to be perfect. We weren’t and lost, but we played well overall, played really hard, and got better from going down there which was the ultimate goal.”
The next set of games took place against Trinity International University on April 21 and a double header on April 22.
Saint Xavier dominated Trinity, blowing them out in each matchup.
During the first game, SXU won 18-6 with 15 hits.
Sophomore outfielder Kevin Dowling led the team with four hits in five at bats with two doubles, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base.
Senior infielder Joe Rycerz went three of five from the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored.
The next two matchups against Trinity University came on senior day and served as the perfect confidence booster for the team heading deeper into the season.
SXU won both games in extreme fashion with scores of 11-1 and 21-7. They scored a very impressive 32 runs over two games and combined for 25 hits.
During the first game, sophomore pitcher Nico Saldias pitched the first six innings, recording five strikeouts, allowing just four hits, and no runs.
Coach Rouse spoke to the offensive performance saying, “The offensive breakthrough stemmed from confidence. And the big dogs being big dogs. The lineup throughout the weekend came to the plate confident and eager to do damage, which hasn’t been our MO, but definitely what we are capable of.”
Senior infielder Declan Smyth went 1-2 from the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.
SXU scored a season high 21 runs with nine players recording at least one hit during the second game.
Junior outfielder Daniel Barrios led the team in hits in game two, going 3-4 with a team high 7 RBIs and three runs scored.
Senior outfielder Sean Haddlessey also recorded three hits in four at bats, also adding two RBIs and two runs scored.
Finally, coach Rouse spoke to the state of the team and their outlook on the remainder of the season.
“We have a huge week ahead and we go into it playing our best and confident, which is more than you can ask and hope for. It’s put us in an ideal spot with pressure packed games awaiting.”
It was an impressive weekend to say the least and SXU is looking strong building momentum as they enter their last week of the regular season.
They currently sit at .500 with a record of 22-22 and 14-8 in CCAC play.