Sunday, May 29
12 p.m.
Xavier University
30-28
8
vs
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No. 2 Creighton
38-17
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Creighton
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Xavier
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X
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TWICE AS NICE! Xavier Baseball Wins Second BIG EAST Title in Three Years, Topping Creighton 8-7 on Sunday
05.29.16 | Baseball
Musketeers rallied for four in fourth, hanging on late to capture second league crown
ABERDEEN, Md. – Xavier baseball got a pair of two-run homers in the fourth inning, coming from behind in the fourth inning and hanging on late to top Creighton, 8-7, in the BIG EAST Championship Game at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
With the result, Xavier will play in its second NCAA Tournament in three years at a yet-to-be-determined regional from June 3-6.
The Musketeers also improve to 30-28 overall and have won 16 times in their last 18 games.
Creighton fell to 38-17 overall, finishing runner-up at the tournament for a third straight season. XU capped the season series against the Bluejays at 4-1.
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· Xavier improved to 6-1 all-time in the BIG EAST Championships.
· The Musketeers failed to qualify for the event in 2015, but have now won the title in both years the program has reached the tournament – including 2014, Xavier's first year in the league.
· In 2014, Xavier also defeated Creighton for the league title – toppling the No. 1 Bluejays as a four-seed by winning back-to-back games on championship Sunday.
· XU hit .352 as a team over the three game run.
· Dan Rizzie finished the weekend with MOP honors, hitting .571 (8-for-14) with four runs and six RBI.
· Matt Fallon was named to the All-Tournament Team after a .500 weekend (5-for-10), scoring four runs and working a pair of walks for a .583 on-base percentage.
· David Morton had a strong tournament, posting a .417 batting average (5-for-12) with a pair of runs and RBI.
· BIG EAST Player of the Year Andre Jernigan (.364) and Joe Gellenbeck (.357) had equally productive trips with a homer and three RBI apiece.
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P: Garrett Schilling, Xavier                                                         Â
P: Ryan McAuliffe, St. John's                                                      Â
INF: Harrison Crawford, Creighton                                         Â
INF: Joe Gellenbeck, Xavier                                                        Â
INF: Andre Jernigan, Xavier                                                       Â
INF: John Valente, St. John's                                                       Â
OF: Matt Fallon, Xavier                                                               Â
OF: Daniel Woodrow, Creighton                                              Â
OF: Kevin Connolly, Creighton                                                  Â
C: Daniel Rizzie, Xavier                                                                Â
DH: Matt Gandy, Creighton                                                       Â
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Jack Kaiser Most Outstanding Player:
Daniel Rizzie, Sr., Xavier  Â
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· Xavier capped off a powerful offensive weekend with two homers, 12 hits and eight runs scored. The Musketeers plated 22 runs total and collected 38 hits over the three wins.
· Dan Rizzie raked his way to MOP honors, going 5-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI. He finished the tournament at .571 (8-for-14), scoring four runs and driving in six – including a walk-off in against St. John's on Thursday and a crucial three-run double in Friday's win against Creighton.
· Joe Gellenbeck tied the game in the fourth inning with his 13th home run of the season, a long drive to right center.
· Rylan Bannon got the Musketeers on the board in the fourth, smashing a two-run homer to left center – his sixth of the season.Â
· Rizzie has now reached base in 20 straight games.
· Andre Jernigan (1-for-4, R), Will LaRue (1-for-3, R, RBI, 2 SB), David Morton (2-for-4, R) and Matt Fallon (1-for-3, R) also had productive days at the plate.
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· Brad Kirschner got the start, lasting three innings and allowing four earned runs before giving way to the bullpen.
· Trey Schramm (3-0) got the win in relief, going 3.2 innings and striking out two while allowing just one earned run.
· Taylor Williams got a big out to close the seventh and finished with a complete inning of work and a strikeout before turning it over to closer Garrett Schilling with two outs in the eighth.
· Schilling saved it, getting the last four outs of the game – but not without some drama as the Bluejays plated two in the ninth to make it a one-run game. Schilling left the tying run on first, getting a ground ball to Andre Jernigan to finish the game.Â
· With 13 saves, Schilling ties the single season school record held by Jordan Conley (2009).
· Schilling now has the win or save in 11 of Xavier's last 17 games (seven saves, four wins).
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THIRD INNING: Matt Fallon led things off with a single to center, coming around to score as Rylan Bannon followed with a two-run bomb to left field. Dan Rizzie batted next, singling to left field ahead of Joe Gellenbeck – who launched a two-run shot to right to even the score at 4-4.
FOURTH INNING: David Morton singled to center field, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Fallon. After Bannon made the first out, Dan Rizzie dropped a single into shallow right allowing Morton to come home and giving Xavier the lead, 5-4.
FIFTH INNING: Andre Jernigan led off with a single, moving to second on a wild pitch before Nate Soria drew a walk to put two on with no outs. Batting next, Chris Givin dropped a sacrifice bunt to move both runners up a base. Will LaRue then lofted a ball to left field, allowing Jernigan to come home and make it 6-4.
EIGHTH INNING: Will LaRue singled through the right side and stole his second base of the game to open the frame, going to third on a bunt single by David Morton. After Stephen Haring came in to pinch run for Morton, Rylan Bannon pushed a ball to the right side of the infield for a run-scoring ground out. Dan Rizzie followed with a double to left, plating Haring and making it 8-5.
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· Xavier awaits its postseason fate in the NCAA Tournament Selection Show scheduled for Noon on Monday, May 29. The show will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
With the result, Xavier will play in its second NCAA Tournament in three years at a yet-to-be-determined regional from June 3-6.
The Musketeers also improve to 30-28 overall and have won 16 times in their last 18 games.
Creighton fell to 38-17 overall, finishing runner-up at the tournament for a third straight season. XU capped the season series against the Bluejays at 4-1.
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 HIGHLIGHTS |
B3: SAYONARA BASEBALL! Rylan Bannon belts No. 6 on the year and we've got a ballgame. #LetsGoX https://t.co/eMhoJtSMrd
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
B3: JOE CLUTCH DOES IT AGAIN!!! That's 13 on the year and we're tied, 4-4. #LetsGoX https://t.co/vOAcmi72NQ
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
B4: Dan drops one into right and Dave comes around to give XU the lead! Rizzie now 3-for-3 on the day. #LetsGoX https://t.co/c4yFvybzVb
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
B5: Will LaRue adds to the lead with a sacrifice fly to left, making it a 6-4 lead for Xavier! #LetsGoX https://t.co/exJrnLZOhb
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
B8: DAN THE MAN! Are you kidding?! 5-for-5! Xavier leads it, 8-5. #LetsGoX https://t.co/ceTQU1rXjS
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
BALLGAME FOR YOUR 2016 BIG EAST CHAMPS!!!! #LetsGoX https://t.co/NAE1HQmuZo
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
ÂGoogs and Rizz with John Fanta following the win. #LetsGoX https://t.co/moKa8Zbgku
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) May 29, 2016
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 TOURNAMENT NOTES |
· Xavier improved to 6-1 all-time in the BIG EAST Championships.
· The Musketeers failed to qualify for the event in 2015, but have now won the title in both years the program has reached the tournament – including 2014, Xavier's first year in the league.
· In 2014, Xavier also defeated Creighton for the league title – toppling the No. 1 Bluejays as a four-seed by winning back-to-back games on championship Sunday.
· XU hit .352 as a team over the three game run.
· Dan Rizzie finished the weekend with MOP honors, hitting .571 (8-for-14) with four runs and six RBI.
· Matt Fallon was named to the All-Tournament Team after a .500 weekend (5-for-10), scoring four runs and working a pair of walks for a .583 on-base percentage.
· David Morton had a strong tournament, posting a .417 batting average (5-for-12) with a pair of runs and RBI.
· BIG EAST Player of the Year Andre Jernigan (.364) and Joe Gellenbeck (.357) had equally productive trips with a homer and three RBI apiece.
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 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM |
P: Garrett Schilling, Xavier                                                         Â
P: Ryan McAuliffe, St. John's                                                      Â
INF: Harrison Crawford, Creighton                                         Â
INF: Joe Gellenbeck, Xavier                                                        Â
INF: Andre Jernigan, Xavier                                                       Â
INF: John Valente, St. John's                                                       Â
OF: Matt Fallon, Xavier                                                               Â
OF: Daniel Woodrow, Creighton                                              Â
OF: Kevin Connolly, Creighton                                                  Â
C: Daniel Rizzie, Xavier                                                                Â
DH: Matt Gandy, Creighton                                                       Â
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Jack Kaiser Most Outstanding Player:
Daniel Rizzie, Sr., Xavier  Â
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 XU AT THE PLATE |
· Xavier capped off a powerful offensive weekend with two homers, 12 hits and eight runs scored. The Musketeers plated 22 runs total and collected 38 hits over the three wins.
· Dan Rizzie raked his way to MOP honors, going 5-for-5 with a run scored and a pair of RBI. He finished the tournament at .571 (8-for-14), scoring four runs and driving in six – including a walk-off in against St. John's on Thursday and a crucial three-run double in Friday's win against Creighton.
· Joe Gellenbeck tied the game in the fourth inning with his 13th home run of the season, a long drive to right center.
· Rylan Bannon got the Musketeers on the board in the fourth, smashing a two-run homer to left center – his sixth of the season.Â
· Rizzie has now reached base in 20 straight games.
· Andre Jernigan (1-for-4, R), Will LaRue (1-for-3, R, RBI, 2 SB), David Morton (2-for-4, R) and Matt Fallon (1-for-3, R) also had productive days at the plate.
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 XU ON THE MOUND |
· Brad Kirschner got the start, lasting three innings and allowing four earned runs before giving way to the bullpen.
· Trey Schramm (3-0) got the win in relief, going 3.2 innings and striking out two while allowing just one earned run.
· Taylor Williams got a big out to close the seventh and finished with a complete inning of work and a strikeout before turning it over to closer Garrett Schilling with two outs in the eighth.
· Schilling saved it, getting the last four outs of the game – but not without some drama as the Bluejays plated two in the ninth to make it a one-run game. Schilling left the tying run on first, getting a ground ball to Andre Jernigan to finish the game.Â
· With 13 saves, Schilling ties the single season school record held by Jordan Conley (2009).
· Schilling now has the win or save in 11 of Xavier's last 17 games (seven saves, four wins).
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 HOW XU SCORED |
THIRD INNING: Matt Fallon led things off with a single to center, coming around to score as Rylan Bannon followed with a two-run bomb to left field. Dan Rizzie batted next, singling to left field ahead of Joe Gellenbeck – who launched a two-run shot to right to even the score at 4-4.
FOURTH INNING: David Morton singled to center field, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Matt Fallon. After Bannon made the first out, Dan Rizzie dropped a single into shallow right allowing Morton to come home and giving Xavier the lead, 5-4.
FIFTH INNING: Andre Jernigan led off with a single, moving to second on a wild pitch before Nate Soria drew a walk to put two on with no outs. Batting next, Chris Givin dropped a sacrifice bunt to move both runners up a base. Will LaRue then lofted a ball to left field, allowing Jernigan to come home and make it 6-4.
EIGHTH INNING: Will LaRue singled through the right side and stole his second base of the game to open the frame, going to third on a bunt single by David Morton. After Stephen Haring came in to pinch run for Morton, Rylan Bannon pushed a ball to the right side of the infield for a run-scoring ground out. Dan Rizzie followed with a double to left, plating Haring and making it 8-5.
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 UP NEXT |
· Xavier awaits its postseason fate in the NCAA Tournament Selection Show scheduled for Noon on Monday, May 29. The show will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Schramm, Trey (3-0)
L: Nick Highberger (2-1)
S: Schilling, Garrett (13)
Batting:
2B: Daniel Woodrow 2 ; Matt Gandy 1
HR: Kevin Connolly 1
RBI: Matt Gandy 1 ; Harrison Crawford 3 ; Brett Murray 1 ; Kevin Connolly 1 ; Brennan Hammer 1
SF: Brennan Hammer 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Daniel Woodrow 1 ; Nicky Lopez 1 ; Reagan Fowler 2 ; Matt Gandy 1 ; Brett Murray 1 ; Kevin Connolly 1
CS: Harrison Crawford 1
HBP: Harrison Crawford 1
Batting:
2B: Rizzie, Daniel 1
HR: Bannon, Rylan 1 ; Gellenbeck, Joe 1
RBI: Bannon, Rylan 3 ; Rizzie, Daniel 2 ; Gellenbeck, Joe 2 ; LaRue, Will 1
SH: Givin, Chris 1 ; Fallon, Matt 1
SF: LaRue, Will 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bannon, Rylan 1 ; Rizzie, Daniel 1 ; Gellenbeck, Joe 1 ; Jernigan, Andre 1 ; LaRue, Will 1 ; Morton, David 1 ; Haring, Stephen 1 ; Fallon, Matt 1
SB: LaRue, Will 2
HBP: Soria, Nate 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
1
H
5
RBI
2
ph/dh
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
3
1b/rf
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
IF
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OF
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
OF
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IF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
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/ BaseballIF
/ BaseballC
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
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C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballHIGHLIGHTS | Baseball vs. UConn (BIG EAST Tournament)
Thursday, May 22
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Penn State (Game 3)
Saturday, May 17
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Creighton (Game Three)
Sunday, May 11
HIGHLIGHTS | Baseball at Creighton (Game 2)
Sunday, May 11