Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to UCSB in NCAA Tournament Action

Sunday, June 5

Nashville, Tenn.

3 p.m.

Xavier University

31-29

No. 2 UC Santa Barbara

39-18-1

UC Santa Barbara

Xavier

Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss to UCSB in NCAA Tournament Action

06.05.16 | Baseball

Box Score

Xavier continues Nashville Regional action at 9 p.m. ET against Washington

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After giving up five early unanswered runs, the Musketeers battled back to get within one run before falling to No. 2 seed UC Santa Barbara on Sunday afternoon at Hawkins Field. Xavier continues NCAA Tournament Nashville Regional action at 9 p.m. ET against Washington on Sunday night.

Xavier allowed five runs through the first four innings of play, including three in the first frame before scoring runs in three straight innings (4th-6th innings) to get within one. Defensively, the pitching staff combined to retire 16 of the last 20 UCSB batters without allowing a hit.

The Musketeers move to 31-29 on the year with the loss, snapping a seven-game win streak. Xavier also moved to 3-5 all-time in NCAA Tournament action.

The winner of the Xavier/Washington matchup advances to the championship game against UCSB at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, June 6.

XU AT THE PLATE

· Xavier had one more hit (11-10) than UCSB and left three fewer runners on base (9-6). The Musketeers also did not commit an error for the third time in as many outings.

· David Morton was one of three players with multiple hits, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run - matching his career high in hits.

· Chris Givin went 2-for-4 with a run and Will LaRue went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

XU ON THE MOUND

· Starter Trent Astle (5-5) allowed back-to-back hits to start the game as UCSB struck early, scoring three runs on four hits in the opening frame. The junior pitcher went 3.1 innings, while allowing eight hits and five runs.

· Brad Kirschner made his second appearance in as many games, pitching 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. The junior tossed one strikeout and allowed only two hits.

· Xavier's bullpen of Brad Kirschner, Taylor Williams, Trey Schramm and Garrett Schilling combined to throw 5.2 innings of relief. The group retired 16 of the last 20 UCSB batters without allowing a hit - surrendering two walks while hitting two batters.

· Xavier's bullpen continued its run of success, combining for 5.2 scoreless innings. In the NCAA Tournament, XU's relief corps have a 0.00 ERA in 7.2 innings pitched (3 H, 0 ER, 2 K). Over the last 21 games, Xavier's relievers have a combined ERA of 2.14 (84.1 IP, 20 ER).

HOW XU SCORED

FOURTH INNING: A two-out RBI to left center by Nate Soria scored the first run of the game as Joe Gellenbeck crossed home plate from second base. On the next at bat, Will LaRue hit a RBI single to center field to cut the Xavier deficit to three (5-2).

FIFTH INNING: David Morton hit a lead-off solo home run on the first pitch he saw, launching the ball over the right-field fence - his second home run of the year and the third of his career.

SIXTH INNING: David Moton hit a two-out single through the right side to score Chris Givin.

UP NEXT

· Xavier continues Nashville NCAA Tournament Regional action at 8 p.m. ET against Washington on Sunday night. Stay tuned to @XavierBase on Twitter for the latest updates regarding weather or any other schedule changes that may happen on Saturday. The game will be aired on ESPN3.