Gellenbeck Walks Off as Xavier Baseball Sweeps Ohio State

Sunday, March 19

3:15 p.m.

Xavier University

10-10

Ohio State

8-11

Ohio State

Xavier

Gellenbeck Walks Off as Xavier Baseball Sweeps Ohio State

03.19.17 | Baseball

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Musketeers become first in-state opponent to sweep Buckeyes since 1975

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletics Communication

CINCINNATI - Senior slugger Joe Gellenbeck rewrote a familiar script from Xavier baseball's dramatic run to the BIG EAST title in 2016, walking off with a two-run blast to right center and capping a 6-5 win over visiting Ohio State in game two of a Sunday doubleheader at Hayden Field.

Xavier improved to 10-10 overall with the win, and got its first three-game sweep against Ohio State in program history. The three-game sweep was OSU's first against an in-state opponent since 1975.

Ohio State dropped to 9-11 overall with the loss. The Buckeyes scored all nine of their runs via the homer on Sunday.

XU AT THE PLATE

• Joe Gellenbeck went 2-for-4 with two RBI's, a walk, two runs and the ninth inning blast that sealed the sweep. It was his third homer of the season and 15th of his XU career.
• Rylan Bannon went 2-for-3, walking and scoring a run.
• Connor Grames led XU with a three-hit game, launching a solo homer in the seventh.
• Blaine Griffiths went 1-for-3 with an RBI double.

XU ON THE MOUND

• Senior lefty Greg Jacknewitz turned in a strong start, tossing six innings of one-run ball to go with six strikeouts.
• Freshman Conor Grammes struck out two in 1.2 innings of relief, but was tagged for a three-run homer to OSU's Noah McGowan in the seventh.
• Brad Kirschner got the final out of the eighth with a big strikeout, stranding two.
• David Williams (1-0) allowed a solo homer in the ninth, but picked up the win in relief after striking out two in the ninth.

HOW XU SCORED

THIRD INNING: Joe Gellenbeck led off with a single to left, advancing on a throwing error and coming around to score on a double to right by Blaine Griffiths.
SEVENTH INNING: Conor Grammes led off with a solo shot to left field, his second homer of the season.
EIGHTH INNING: Rylan Bannon got the inning started with a one out single past the third baseman. After a strikeout, Nate Monastra worked a walk and Nate Soria followed with a single to bring home Bannon. Conor Grammes then came up with an infield single to load the bases before a walk by Will LaRue brought home Andrew Sexton with the tying run.
NINTH INNING: Mitch Gallagher was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Joe Gellenbeck followed with a two-run walk-off shot to deep right center.

UP NEXT

• Xavier returns to action at home on Tuesday, playing Wright State at Hayden Field at 3 p.m. ET.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

WALK OFF @JoeGellenbeck!!!

Xavier sweeps the Buckeyes. #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/NGde7clnVv
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) March 19, 2017

Senior @JoeGellenbeck talks about the big weekend sweep over Ohio State. #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/0m35jmbv9Q
— Xavier Baseball (@XavierBASE) March 19, 2017