Xavier University Athletics

Baseball Heads to Indiana State for Weekend Series
03.22.18 | Baseball
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Xavier baseball gets back to action this weekend, traveling to Indiana State for a weekend series that will now begin with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, March 23. The series will wrap on Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch, as originally scheduled.
Forecasted inclement weather in the region caused Saturday's game to be moved up a day.
The Musketeers (7-13) have won three of four, sweeping last weekend's series against Miami (OH) before falling to No. 6 Kentucky in midweek action on Tuesday.
Xavier is coming off its second straight BIG EAST Championship, beginning a new era with first year head coach Billy O'Conner after finishing the 2017 season with a 34-27 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament Louisville Regional Final. XU has made two straight appearances in a regional title game.
• The two programs first met in 1985 with the last meeting in 2009. Indiana State leads the all-time series, 18-6, but XU has won each of the previous two meetings.
• Indiana State enters the weekend on a seven-game winning streak and is 12-5 overall with a 2-0 record at home.
• Indiana State lost 10 seniors off last season's team, which pushed Dallas Baptist before a 6-5 loss in the MVC Championship title game.
• Four Sycamores were taken in the 2017 MLB draft: Will Kincanon (White Sox 11th round), Tyler Friis (Indians 21st round), Jeremy McKinney (Nationals 31st round) and Damon Olds (Royals 33rd round). It was the largest draft class for the Sycamores since 2009.
• Redshirt junior Dane Tofteland returns after setting the Indiana State single game record for RBIs (11) in the 2017 season.
• Xavier ranks 39th nationally with a .977 fielding percentage through 20 games. The Musketeers have committed 16 errors, but just one in their past five games.
• XU set a new school record in 2017 with a .977 fielding percentage, committing just 52 errors in 61 games.
• The Musketeers are coming off a third BIG EAST Championship run in four seasons after sweeping their way to a BIG EAST Championship in Omaha, Neb. this past May. XU swept the regular season and tournament titles in 2016 and also won the tournament in 2014, its first year in the league.
• Xavier went 34-27 (10-6 BIG EAST) a year ago and brings back 21 letterwinners from its most recent title run.
• Six everyday starters will be back for the Musketeers, including All-BIG EAST players Matt Kent, Chris Givin and Blaine Griffiths.
• Since joining the league in 2014, Xavier has won three of the four BIG EAST Championships (2014, 2016, 2017) and ranks third all-time in league championships with Seton Hall, Rutgers and Connecticut. XU and Seton Hall are tied for the most BIG EAST titles amongst current league members.
• With back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017, Xavier became the first team since Louisville in 2008 and 2009 to repeat as tournament champions.
• After a decorated playing career and four years as an assistant on the Xavier baseball staff, Billy O'Conner was named the program's seventh head coach in June following Scott Googins' departure after 12 seasons.
• Googins coached O'Conner as a player and was the program's all-time winningest coach at 341-357 (.489) and won four conference titles before accepting a position at Cincinnati in June.
• During his time on the staff, XU has posted three 30-win seasons, made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and had eight players selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft. That number includes back-to-back years with multiple picks and a program record four selections in the 2017 draft.
• Prior to his time as an assistant at XU, O'Conner spent one year as an assistant at Northern Kentucky and two years in the volunteer assistant role at Xavier.
• Xavier's 34 wins were second-most in school history and its .557 winning percentage was seventh-best in program history.
• XU swept its way to the BIG EAST title for a second straight year, improving to 9-1 all-time in the conference tournament.
• XU advanced to an NCAA Tournament Regional Final for the second straight year with a 2-2 record, defeating Oklahoma and Radford in the national tournament. Prior to 2016, the program had never won multiple games in an NCAA Tournament.
• Xavier went 10-6 in BIG EAST play to clinch third in the league and qualified for the BIG EAST Championships for the third time in four seasons as a member school.
• Xavier had back-to-back 30+ win seasons for just the second time in school history.
• Xavier set school records for team fielding percentage (.977) and strikeouts (461).
• XU hit the third most homers in a single season in program history as 14 different players left the yard.
• Due to graduation and the MLB Draft, Xavier lost seven pitchers, 60 starts and 373.1 innings of production from a year ago. That is roughly 70 percent of last year's innings pitched.
• Closer Trey Schramm is the lone returner to have started a game last season.
• Xavier will begin the year with two true freshmen in the rotation in lefties Trevor Olson and Nick Zwack.
• Senior Damien Richard will serve as a weekend starter after missing last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
• The opening weekend rotation came into the season with just five starts and 52.2 innings of career experience, all belonging to Damien Richard.
• Zac Lowther was the highest-ever selection by a Xavier baseball player this past June, going in the second round compensatory selections. XU's previous high pick was Seth Willoughby, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 by the Colorado Rockies.
• Xavier had a program record four players selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Additionally, two committed players were taken in the draft for the first time in program history.
• Xavier's four draft picks were: Zac Lowther (Comp. Round B, 74th pick, Baltimore Orioles), Rylan Bannon (8th Round, 250th pick, LA Dodgers), Garrett Schilling (18th Round, 536th pick, Colorado Rockies), Greg Jacknewitz (22nd Round, 666th pick, San Francisco Giants)
• XU has now had multiple picks in each of the last two seasons. In 2016, Dan Rizzie went to the New York Mets in the 13th round and Andre Jernigan followed as a 14th round selection of the Minnesota Twins.
• Xavier has had at least one player drafted in 11 of the last 13 years.
• 16 total XU players have been drafted since 2005.
• The defending BIG EAST Tournament champions, Xavier was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST in 2018 during an annual vote conducted by the league's head coaches.
• XU was picked to finish second in the league for the first time.
• The Musketeers were selected to finish fourth in each of their first three seasons in the league until being picked to win the BIG EAST ahead of the 2017 season.
• Chris Givin, Conor Grammes and Matt Kent were each selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
First place votes in ( )
1. St. John's – 35 points (5)
2. Xavier – 30 pts. (2)
3. Creighton – 24 pts.
4. Seton Hall – 23 pts.
5. Butler – 18 pts.
6. Georgetown – 11 pts.
7. Villanova – 6 pts.
• Xavier will play a 56-game schedule in 2018, including 15 home dates and the three home series at Hayden Field. XU will travel to nine different states as part of its road schedule.
• The 2018 schedule features five NCAA Tournament participants (Florida State, Kentucky, Louisville, Dallas Baptist and St. John's). All five 2017 NCAA Tournament opponents were 40-game winners a year ago.
• Overall, the Musketeers will face a challenging schedule that features opponents that combined for a 727-629 (.536) record in 2017.
• Xavier will look to defend its title as the host of the 2018 BIG EAST Championships at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio. The four-team, double elimination tournament will run from May 24-27.
• It will be the first time Xavier has served as host of the league tournament. Prasco Park is about 20 miles north of Cincinnati and a 30-minute drive from Xavier's campus.
Forecasted inclement weather in the region caused Saturday's game to be moved up a day.
The Musketeers (7-13) have won three of four, sweeping last weekend's series against Miami (OH) before falling to No. 6 Kentucky in midweek action on Tuesday.
Xavier is coming off its second straight BIG EAST Championship, beginning a new era with first year head coach Billy O'Conner after finishing the 2017 season with a 34-27 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament Louisville Regional Final. XU has made two straight appearances in a regional title game.
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PITCHING MATCHUPS |
Game | Xavier | Opponent |
1 | Damien Richard, RHP | Tyler Ward, RHP |
2 | Matt Kent, RHP | Triston Polley, LHP |
3 | Allbry Major, RHP | Tristan Weaver, LHP |
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SERIES HISTORY |
• The two programs first met in 1985 with the last meeting in 2009. Indiana State leads the all-time series, 18-6, but XU has won each of the previous two meetings.
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OPPONENT NOTABLES |
• Indiana State enters the weekend on a seven-game winning streak and is 12-5 overall with a 2-0 record at home.
• Indiana State lost 10 seniors off last season's team, which pushed Dallas Baptist before a 6-5 loss in the MVC Championship title game.
• Four Sycamores were taken in the 2017 MLB draft: Will Kincanon (White Sox 11th round), Tyler Friis (Indians 21st round), Jeremy McKinney (Nationals 31st round) and Damon Olds (Royals 33rd round). It was the largest draft class for the Sycamores since 2009.
• Redshirt junior Dane Tofteland returns after setting the Indiana State single game record for RBIs (11) in the 2017 season.
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PROJECTED LINEUP |
Name | Class | Position | Hometown (HS) | Notes |
Nate Soria | SR | C | Homer Glen, Ill. (St. Rita of Cascia) | Johnny Bench Award Watch List for the second time in career... XU has a catcher on the list for the fifth straight season... had a solid west coast road trip, collecting hits in six of eight games... went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and five RBI at San Francisco (3/10)... went hitless in first five games this season, but is now hitting .295 (13-for-44) with a homer and five RBI in his last 12 games... appeared in 60 games with 57 starts in 2017... tied for third on team with seven homers... fifth on team with 30 RBI... tied for team lead with 10 HBP... preseason All-BIG EAST selection... named to 2017 Johnny Bench Award Watch List... fourth straight year XU has had a catcher on the list... threw out 44% of attempted base stealers (11-for-25)... has reached base in 108 of 139 games going back to 2015... finished season on a six-game hitting streak... went 6-for-15 (.400) with six RBI in the NCAA Tournament... |
Ryan Altenberger | FR | 2B | Morton, Ill. (Morton) | Tied for team lead with a five game hitting streak... leads team and is a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts... helped XU to a sweep of Miami (OH) with a .462 batting average (6-for-13) across three games, scoring seven runs and hitting two homers... was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the performance (3/19)... went 3-for-8 (.375) in two starts at No. 5 FSU in place of Chris Givin, who was injured in Friday's season opener... |
Joe Gellenbeck | GR | RF | Lebanon, Ohio (St. Xavier) | One of the top sluggers in the BIG EAST... back for a fifth season after redshirting in 2014... went 3-for-3 with four runs scored and two homers in a 13-3 win over Miami (3/18)... named BIG EAST Player of the Week (2/26)... went 1-for-4 with an RBI at No. 13 Louisville (2/27)... hit .625 (10-for-16) with 17 total bases in four road games from 2/20-24... had a huge game at No. 8 Kentucky, going 3-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored, including the go-ahead run in the 10th (2/20)... 2017 Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year... ranked third in the BIG EAST with 11 homers... led BIG EAST with 56 RBI... led team with 17 multi-RBI games... was a sneaky threat on the bases, going 12-for-12 in steals... hit .308 (4-for-13) with a homer and four RBI in the BIG EAST Championships... enters season with 24 career home runs... |
Conor Grammes | SO | 3B | McLean, Va. (McLean) | 2018 Preseason All-BIG EAST selection... tied for team lead with a five game hitting streak... went 1-for-4 with a homer in a 13-3 win over Miami (3/18)... went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI at Cal (3/6)... went 2-for-5 with a run scored at No. 13 Louisville on Tuesday (2/27)... went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored at No. 8 Kentucky (2/20)... hit .417 (5-for-12) with a homer and a pair of multi-hit games at No. 5 FSU to start the season... among the best freshmen in the BIG EAST a year ago... named BIG EAST Championships Most Outstanding Player after hitting .600 (9-for-15) with five runs, a homer and five RBI in three games... led team with 26 multi-hit games... ranked sixth in the league and led XU with a .341 batting average... fourth in the BIG EAST with 79 hits and 14 doubles... third in the league with 116 total bases... ranked eighth in the nation with eight sacrifice flies... reached base in 18 straight games and had a seven game hitting streak to close the season... |
Chris Givin | JR | SS | Castle Rock, Colo. | 2018 Preseason All-BIG EAST selection... went 4-for-5 with three RBI and a steal in a win at Miami (3/17)... had a huge game in the series opener at San Francisco, going 4-for-6 with a grand slam and a career-high five RBI (3/8)... returned to lineup after a brief recovery from injury and went 4-for-11 (.364) with two runs scored and an RBI in Spartanburg, S.C (2/20-24)... went 2-for-5 with a run scored in narrow 6-4 loss at No. 13 Louisville (2/27)... played and started in 43 games last season... All-BIG EAST Second Team selection at shortstop... 2017 preseason All-BIG EAST selection... third on team with a .302 batting average batting primarily in the leadoff spot... made return to lineup on March 29 at Miami (OH) after missing 17 games due to a hand injury... recorded a team-best 15 game hitting streak, hitting .400 (24-for-60) with 16 runs scored down the stretch... nearly walked more than he struck out on the season (25-to-26), helping him record a .395 on-base percentage... was third on team with a .345 (20-for-58) batting average in BIG EAST play... |
Allbry Major | FR | CF | Indianapolis, Ind. (North Central) | 6-foot-5 switch hitter known for his athleticism... Baseball America selected Major as its preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year... went 1-for-3 with two RBI in the win over No. 8 Kentucky (2/20)... making third career start this weekend... has also been a weapon out of the bullpen, striking out seven with a 1.35 ERA in 6.2 innings of work... had a standout summer with Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, hitting .336 with two homers and 21 RBI... also posted a 3.34 ERA in 32.1 innings and struck out 44... named No. 15 MLB Draft prospect in the league following the season... posted top OF velocity at the Perfect Game Fall Showcase in 2016... father, Kendrick, ran track at Indiana State... |
Natale Monastra | SO | DH | Lewis Center, Ohio (Olentangy) | Leads team with .327 batting average... second on team with six multi-hit games... leads team with an eight game streak of reaching base... had a 2-for-3 day with a homer and three RBI in a 13-3 win over Miami (3/18)... went 2-for-3 with an RBI against No. 6 Kentucky (3/20)... had a 3-for-5 day with two doubles and an RBI in a win at USC Upstate (2/24)... |
Matt Warkentin | JR | 1B | Leamington, Ontario (Leamington District Secondary) | 6-foot-6 athletic first baseman from Canada... transferred to XU this spring from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas... currently riding a four-game hit streak... homered for third time this season in a 13-3 win over Miami (3/18)... went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI in 14-6 win at San Francisco (3/8)... hit second home run of season on Tuesday at No. 13 Louisville... blasted first homer of season on Saturday against Presbyterian (2/24)... hit .351 with 12 homers and 55 RBI for JCC last season... began collegiate career at San Francisco... |
Andrew Sexton | SO | LF | Cincinnati, Ohio (La Salle) | Has earned 12 starts in 18 games after playing in just 12 games before an injury cut his 2017 season short as a freshman... leads team and is ranked 17th in nation with five sacrifice bunts... second on team with seven walks... |
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KEY PLAYERS OFF THE BENCH |
Name | Class | Position | Hometown (HS) | Notes |
Blaine Griffiths | SR | DH/OF | Lebanon, Ohio (Lakota West) | Hit first homer of the season against Wofford (2/23)... named to 2017 All-BIG EAST Second Team after hitting .379 (11-for-29) with a homer and eight RBI in league play... Three-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree... |
Mitch Gallagher | SR | 2B | Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy) | Played in 54 games, making 51 starts at shortstop and second base in 2017... hit .263 (50-for-190) with four homers and 32 RBI... fourth on team with 37 runs scored... third on team with 12 doubles... improved in league play, hitting .333 (15-for-45) with 10 runs scored, three homers and 13 RBI in 12 games... went 1-for-3 with a two-run double in XU's 7-6 win over Creighton to clinch a spot in the BIG EAST Championships title game (5/26)... |
Sam Flamini | JR | INF | Yorkville, Ill. (Yorkville) | Two-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team honoree... went 1-for-3 with a homer against Cal (3/6)... played in 34 games and made 16 starts in 2017, hitting .244 (19-for-78) with a homer, five RBI and 12 runs scored... |
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WEEKEND ROTATION |
Damien Richard | SR | RHP | Versailles, Ohio (Versailles) | Missed 2017 season recovering from Tommy John surgery... has posted three straight quality starts... has allowed two earned runs or less in four of five outings... went 6.2 innings, striking out seven and allowing just one earned run in a win against Miami (3/16)... fired six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven at San Francisco (3/10)... tossed 6.1 innings, striking out six and allowing just one earned run at Saint Mary's (3/4)... went five innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out a career-high eight in a 7-1 win at Presbyterian (2/27)... made 16 appearances and five starts in 2016... took two turns in the weekend rotation... started first career game at Wright State (3/8)... had a 2.45 ERA in BIG EAST action (3 APP, 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 K)... |
Matt Kent | JR | RHP | Ft. Wayne, Ind. (Canterbury) | Has made six appearances out of the bullpen so far this season... will be making ninth career start and first since freshman season in game two this weekend... coming off a career-high 6.1 innings and eight strikeouts in a relief outing against Miami (OH)... was XU's top option out of the bullpen as a sophomore, going 5-2 with a team-best 1.74 ERA in 23 appearances... |
Allbry Major | FR | RHP | Indianapolis, Ind. (North Central) | True freshman... has made back-to-back starts for XU after coming out of the 'pen four times to open the year... allowed just one earned run in 7.2 innings of relief, while striking out eight... made first career start at San Francisco, going 5.1 innings and allowing four earned runs while striking out three (3/9)... opponents are hitting just .145 against the righty thus far... pitched three innings of scoreless relief at USC Upstate (2/25)... made career debut out of the bullpen, posting two scoreless innings with a strikeout at No. 5 Florida State (2/17)... |
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X CAN PICK IT |
• Xavier ranks 39th nationally with a .977 fielding percentage through 20 games. The Musketeers have committed 16 errors, but just one in their past five games.
• XU set a new school record in 2017 with a .977 fielding percentage, committing just 52 errors in 61 games.
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THE KING RETURNS |
• The Musketeers are coming off a third BIG EAST Championship run in four seasons after sweeping their way to a BIG EAST Championship in Omaha, Neb. this past May. XU swept the regular season and tournament titles in 2016 and also won the tournament in 2014, its first year in the league.
• Xavier went 34-27 (10-6 BIG EAST) a year ago and brings back 21 letterwinners from its most recent title run.
• Six everyday starters will be back for the Musketeers, including All-BIG EAST players Matt Kent, Chris Givin and Blaine Griffiths.
• Since joining the league in 2014, Xavier has won three of the four BIG EAST Championships (2014, 2016, 2017) and ranks third all-time in league championships with Seton Hall, Rutgers and Connecticut. XU and Seton Hall are tied for the most BIG EAST titles amongst current league members.
• With back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017, Xavier became the first team since Louisville in 2008 and 2009 to repeat as tournament champions.
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BILLY BALL |
• After a decorated playing career and four years as an assistant on the Xavier baseball staff, Billy O'Conner was named the program's seventh head coach in June following Scott Googins' departure after 12 seasons.
• Googins coached O'Conner as a player and was the program's all-time winningest coach at 341-357 (.489) and won four conference titles before accepting a position at Cincinnati in June.
• During his time on the staff, XU has posted three 30-win seasons, made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and had eight players selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft. That number includes back-to-back years with multiple picks and a program record four selections in the 2017 draft.
• Prior to his time as an assistant at XU, O'Conner spent one year as an assistant at Northern Kentucky and two years in the volunteer assistant role at Xavier.
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2017 TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
• Xavier's 34 wins were second-most in school history and its .557 winning percentage was seventh-best in program history.
• XU swept its way to the BIG EAST title for a second straight year, improving to 9-1 all-time in the conference tournament.
• XU advanced to an NCAA Tournament Regional Final for the second straight year with a 2-2 record, defeating Oklahoma and Radford in the national tournament. Prior to 2016, the program had never won multiple games in an NCAA Tournament.
• Xavier went 10-6 in BIG EAST play to clinch third in the league and qualified for the BIG EAST Championships for the third time in four seasons as a member school.
• Xavier had back-to-back 30+ win seasons for just the second time in school history.
• Xavier set school records for team fielding percentage (.977) and strikeouts (461).
• XU hit the third most homers in a single season in program history as 14 different players left the yard.
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YOUNG GUNS |
• Due to graduation and the MLB Draft, Xavier lost seven pitchers, 60 starts and 373.1 innings of production from a year ago. That is roughly 70 percent of last year's innings pitched.
• Closer Trey Schramm is the lone returner to have started a game last season.
• Xavier will begin the year with two true freshmen in the rotation in lefties Trevor Olson and Nick Zwack.
• Senior Damien Richard will serve as a weekend starter after missing last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
• The opening weekend rotation came into the season with just five starts and 52.2 innings of career experience, all belonging to Damien Richard.
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DRAFTING MUSKETEERS |
• Zac Lowther was the highest-ever selection by a Xavier baseball player this past June, going in the second round compensatory selections. XU's previous high pick was Seth Willoughby, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 by the Colorado Rockies.
• Xavier had a program record four players selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Additionally, two committed players were taken in the draft for the first time in program history.
• Xavier's four draft picks were: Zac Lowther (Comp. Round B, 74th pick, Baltimore Orioles), Rylan Bannon (8th Round, 250th pick, LA Dodgers), Garrett Schilling (18th Round, 536th pick, Colorado Rockies), Greg Jacknewitz (22nd Round, 666th pick, San Francisco Giants)
• XU has now had multiple picks in each of the last two seasons. In 2016, Dan Rizzie went to the New York Mets in the 13th round and Andre Jernigan followed as a 14th round selection of the Minnesota Twins.
• Xavier has had at least one player drafted in 11 of the last 13 years.
• 16 total XU players have been drafted since 2005.
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PRESEASON PROGNOSTICATIONS |
• The defending BIG EAST Tournament champions, Xavier was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST in 2018 during an annual vote conducted by the league's head coaches.
• XU was picked to finish second in the league for the first time.
• The Musketeers were selected to finish fourth in each of their first three seasons in the league until being picked to win the BIG EAST ahead of the 2017 season.
• Chris Givin, Conor Grammes and Matt Kent were each selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
First place votes in ( )
1. St. John's – 35 points (5)
2. Xavier – 30 pts. (2)
3. Creighton – 24 pts.
4. Seton Hall – 23 pts.
5. Butler – 18 pts.
6. Georgetown – 11 pts.
7. Villanova – 6 pts.
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LOOKING AT THE SCHEDULE |
• Xavier will play a 56-game schedule in 2018, including 15 home dates and the three home series at Hayden Field. XU will travel to nine different states as part of its road schedule.
• The 2018 schedule features five NCAA Tournament participants (Florida State, Kentucky, Louisville, Dallas Baptist and St. John's). All five 2017 NCAA Tournament opponents were 40-game winners a year ago.
• Overall, the Musketeers will face a challenging schedule that features opponents that combined for a 727-629 (.536) record in 2017.
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XU TO HOST LEAGUE TOURNEY |
• Xavier will look to defend its title as the host of the 2018 BIG EAST Championships at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio. The four-team, double elimination tournament will run from May 24-27.
• It will be the first time Xavier has served as host of the league tournament. Prasco Park is about 20 miles north of Cincinnati and a 30-minute drive from Xavier's campus.
Players Mentioned
HIGHLIGHTS | 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