Sports
By Spencer Tracy, Staff Writer
Milestones, triumph and heartbreak have been the story of the Xavier Musketeers baseball team over the last 13 contests.
A handful of big wins in non-league play has put Xavier in a healthy spoth. However, facing the University of Kentucky Wildcats, University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies and St. John’s University Red Storm in seven of the next 13 games will be no picnic.
Baseball relies on consistency, which is why momentum is crucial during a season. After sweeping Ball State University on Hayden Field, it was evident that Xavier had momentum as they went across the river to take on Kentucky. With the Wildcat’s coming off a season which ended in the second round of the College World Series tournament, the Muskie’s A-game was summoned.
Senior right-handed pitcher Logan Schmidt took the ball and dominated by taking a shutout into the seventh before head coach Billy O’Conner went to his bullpen. Schmidt went six and a third innings strong, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out six in one of his best outings as a Muskie. Offensively, Xavier grabbed an early 5-0 lead between the fourth and fifth inning, and they would go on to stun the Wildcats 9-3.
After a momentous win for the Muskies, the UConn Huskies arrived that weekend, and they were no team to take lightly. Sophomore Ryan Piech starred in game one, throwing five innings while surrendering just one run on one hit and striking out seven. His seven strikeouts tied his career high from earlier this season against Vanderbilt in early March. Despite an 8-1 lead heading into the ninth, the Huskies offense finally woke up, scoring five runs before sophomore Jake Hooker struck out the final batter to seal the 8-6 victory and collect the save.
In game two of the double header, the Huskies plated four in the first and took the lead all the way to the final out, winning 9-4 despite being out-hit by the Musketeers 11-10. Uconn gave the Muskies their only loss at Hayden Field this season. Both teams consistently find themselves battling for the Big East title at the end of each season, making game three even more important.
Xavier got off to a quick 4-0 lead and the Huskies did their best to answer keeping the game within reach. It did not matter as the Huskies had no answer for the Musketeers top of the order between senior Carter Hendrickson, junior Connor Misch, and sophomore Clay Burdette. The three musketeers combined to hit six-for-twelve including five runs, five RBIs and two walks. With a 10-7 lead, Jake Hooker came in to finish the job, putting away the Huskies to secure the series win.
Xavier baseball has had an up and down season, and with a month left until the Big East Tournament, the team still has tough matchups ahead they look to better their odds in the tournament.
The boys in blue had found their stride and did not intend on stopping. Wright State University came into town for a quick date with this red-hot offense. After a blazing hot start early in the game, Wright State was forced to pull their starter, as Xavier would cruise to a 11-5 beatdown thanks to home runs by graduate student Tucker Nolan and Misch.
Some heroics were needed during the weekend visit from the Butler Univeristy Bulldogs as Misch stepped up with a crucial grand slam with two outs, putting Xavier in front 5-4. A 14-1 blowout victory followed, not only completing the sweep but also giving Billy O’Conner his 200th career managerial win.
Winners in 12 of their last 14 matchups, Xavier faced Wright State, a familiar foe. However, this time was different as Wright State got off to an early 4-0 lead in the first. Xavier answered with four of their own, announcing their presence. Despite a hot start for both offenses, both teams’ pitchers took over as the bats went quiet until the ninth. Sophomore Jake Lambdin clobbered his second home run of the season. A few hitters later, Burdette clubbed a two-run moonshot that put Xavier in front for the first time. However, the pitching could not complete the comeback, allowing four runs in the ninth, losing 10-8.
The heartbreaking loss was contagious as the Musketeers suffered another walk-off in extra innings despite tying it in the ninth in their series opener against St John’s. They would drop the next two against the Red Storm, creating a four-game losing streak, killing all momentum gained.
Xavier baseball has had an up and down season, and with a month left until the Big East Tournament, the team still has tough matchups ahead they look to better their odds in the tournament.
They go on the road to face Villanova this weekend.
