Baseball Holds Off Presbyterian, Scores in Ninth to Win Game Two of Weekend in S.C.

Saturday, February 24

Spartanburg, S.C.

3 p.m.

Xavier University

2-4

Presbyterian

2-6

Xavier

Presbyterian

Baseball Holds Off Presbyterian, Scores in Ninth to Win Game Two of Weekend in S.C.

02.24.18 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Musketeers get go-ahead run in top of ninth on a single by Chris Givin

By: Brendan Bergen, Xavier Athletic Communications

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Chris Givin came through in the ninth, lining the go-ahead single as Xavier baseball won 6-5 against Presbyterian on Saturday at Harley Park.

The Musketeers (2-4) will wrap up the weekend with a nightcap against USC Upstate.

NEXT UP

• Xavier wraps up the weekend with a Saturday evening game against USC Upstate at 6:45 p.m.

XU AT THE PLATE

• Xavier collected a season-high six runs on nine hits, collecting its second win in three games.
• Will LaRue provided a spark at the top of the order, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI. The left fielder also stole his first base of the season on Saturday after missing the first four games of the season with a thumb injury.
• Allbry Major went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored for his first collegiate multi-hit performance.
• Matt Warkentin went 1-for-4 and launched his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, in the second inning.
• Chris Givin (1-for-3) collected the go-ahead RBI in the ninth inning.
• Joe Gellenbeck went 1-for-4 with a run scored and his second triple of the season. Gellenbeck entered the season with three career triples.
• Conor Grammes (1-for-5) and Natale Monastra (1-for-3, R) also collected hits for the Musketeers.

XU ON THE MOUND

• Senior righty Damien Richard got the start and lasted five innings, striking out a career-high eight and allowing just one earned run in a solid outing.
• Junior Matt Kent came on in relief and allowed two earned runs in 1.1 innings, striking out one.
• Junior Trey Schramm finished the game out, tossing 2.2 innings of one-run relief to earn his second win of the season.

HOW XU SCORED

SECOND INNING: Joe Gellenbeck led off with a triple down the right field line, coming around to score on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Altenberger. With one out, Allbry Major singled to left field before a two-run homer to center by Matt Warkentin made it 3-0.
FOURTH INNING: Allbry Major singled up the middle with one out, eventually stealing second before a Natale Monastra walk. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third for Will LaRue, who singled to right to bring both runners across and make it 5-2.
SECOND INNING: Will LaRue started a two-out rally with a single up the middle, stealing second and coming around to score on single through the left side by Chris Givin. The run would prove to be the game-winner in a 6-5 win for the Musketeers.