Xavier Baseball Announces 2020 Schedule

CINCINNATI – Head coach Billy O'Conner announced the 2020 schedule for Xavier Baseball, a slate featuring 24 different opponents, including six NCAA Tournament squads from 2019. The Musketeers' schedule is also highlighted by 10-day trip to Southern California to face a trio of west coach schools in March before starting the home schedule on March 18. BIG EAST play gets underway on April 9 against Georgetown.

Xavier is coming off a second-place finish in the BIG EAST, going 12-4 in conference play and advancing to the BIG EAST Championship series. The Musketeers added a deep freshman class to its returning core which includes All-BIG EAST second team selections, Natale Monastra (C), Jack Housinger (3B), and Lane Flamm (RHP).

Xavier will again co-host the BIG EAST Tournament, held at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio from May 21-24, 2020. Prasco Park will remain the home of the BIG EAST Tournament through at least 2022.

at Memphis
Fri. 2.14 - Sun. 2.16 (3 Games)
Memphis, Tenn.

The Tigers finished 2019 at 27-28 overall and 10-13 in American Athletic Conference play.
Memphis played as the No. 7 seed in the AAC Championship. The Tigers were eliminated after falling to Cincinnati and UCF.
The Tigers return outfielder Hunter Goodman, a First Team All-AAC selection and the league Newcomer Position Player of the Year.
Memphis also returns redshirt senior Chris Durham (LHP), who was also an All-AAC selection, earning a spot on the conference Second Team.
This is the first time the Musketeers will face the Tigers.

at Ole Miss
Fri. 2.21 - Sun. 2.23 (3 Games)
Oxford, Miss.

The Rebels finished 2019 at 41-27 overall and 16-14 in SEC play, earning the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament.
Ole Miss advanced to the SEC Title game for the second straight season, falling to eventual Nation Champions Vanderbilt on a walk-off.
In the NCAA Tournament, Mississippi advanced to the Fayetteville Super Regional, falling to hosts Arkansas in three games.
The Rebels return 2019 Freshman All-American and All-SEC Honoree Doug Nikhazy (LHP/OF).
This is the first time the Musketeers will face the Rebels.

at Louisville
Tue. 2.25 (1 Game)
Louisville, Ky.

The Cardinals finished 2019 at 51-19 overall and 21-9 in ACC play.
After being elimated in two games in the ACC Championship, the Cardinals advanced to the NCAA College World Series, falling to eventual National Champion Vanderbilt.
The Cardinals placed six on ACC All-Conference Teams, with Reid Detmers earning ACC Pitcher of the Year.
Detmers was also a first team All-ACC selection. Alex Binelas, Michael McAvene and Logan Wyatt each earned second team honors, while Tyler Fitzgerald and Justin Lavey were voted to the third team. Binelas was also named to the league's All-Freshman team.
Last season, the Musketeers beat No. 8 Louisville, 5-4, in extra innings to move to 18-37 all time against the Cardinals.

at College of Charleston
Fri. 2.28 - Sun. 3.1 (3 Games)
Charleston, S.C.

C of C finished 2019 at 36-21 overall and 16-8 in the CAA, earning the No. 2 seed.
The Cougars' season came to a close after losing 1-0 in 14 innings in the CAA Tournament opener against William & Mary, then falling 8-7 in an elimination game with Northeastern.
Charleston lost CAA Defensive player of the Year, shortstop Luke Manzo, as well as All-CAA First Team honorees Danny Wondrack (C), Dupree Hart (2B), Bradley Dixon (OF) and Griffin McLarty (RHP), as well as second team honoree, RHP Nathan Ocker, and third-team member first baseman Chaz Davey.
The Musketeers are 1-8 all time against College of Charleston, last facing the Cougars in 2013 where the Musketeers went 1-2 in a three-game series at C of C.

at Northern Kentucky
Wed. 3.4 (1 Game)
Highland Heights, Ky.

NKU finished 2019 at 15-42 overall and 12-18 in Horizon League play, earning the No. 4 seed in the league tournament.
The Norse opened the conference tournament with a win over Oakland, but were eliminated with back-to-back losses to Wright State and Milwaukee to close out the season.
Northern Kentucky returns three Horizon League All-Freshman selections from last year, Noah Fisher (IF), Sam Hedges (OF) and Jayden Wakeham (C).
The Norse lost All-Horizon League second team honoree, Will Haueter, to graduation.
Xavier is 35-19-1 against NKU all-time after winning last season's lone match-up, 5-2, at Hayden Field.

at Long Beach State
Fri. 3.6 - Sun. 3.8 (3 Games)
Long Beach, Calif.

LBSU finished 2019 at 14-41 overall and 8-16 in Big West play.
The Dirtbags return three all-conference selections led by Second Team All-Big West first baseman Jacob Hughey. Big West Honorable Mention selections Chris Jimenez (C) and Adam Seminaris (LHP) also return for Long Beach.
LBSU lost All-Big West honorable mention selection Laine Huffman (IN) to graduation.
Long Beach hired Eric Valenzuela from St. Mary's following the 2019 season.
This is Xavier's first match-up with Long Beach State.

at Southern California
Tue. 3.10 (1 Game)
Los Angeles, Calif.

USC finished last season at 25-29-1, with a 13-15-1 record in Pac 12 play.
Southern Cal returns outfielder Trevor Halsema and catcher/infielder Clay Owens, both All-Pac 12 selections.
2019 All-Pac 12 honorees Connor Lunn (RHP), Chris Clark (RHP), Matthew Acosta (OF) were all selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. All-Pac 12 Defensive Team Honorable mention Brandon Perez also graduated.
The Trojans hired Jason Gill after not renewing the contract of Dan Hubbs. Gill spent 11 seasons with Loyola Marymount, taking the Lions to an NCAA Regional Final in 2019.
This is Xavier's first match-up with Southern California.

at Cal State Fullerton
Fri. 2.13 - Sun. 2.15 (3 Games)
Fullerton, Calif.

The Titans finished 2019 at 27-26 overall and 13-11 in Big West play.
Cal State returns a pair of All-Big West Selections in Isaiah Garcia (OF) and AJ Curtis (OF), while losing a pair, Mitchell Berryhill (OF) and Jarius Richards (OF) to graduation.
This is Xavier's first match-up with Cal State Fullerton.

vs. Cincinnati
Tue. 3.17 and Wed. 3.18 (2 Games)
Schott Stadium / Hayden Field

UC finished 2019 at 31-31 overall and 13-11 in American Athletic Conference play, earning the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.
After going 4-0 in the league tournament, the Bearcats earned the program's first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 1974.
Cincinnati opened NCAA Tournament play with a 7-6 win over Oregon State, but fell to eventual national runners-up, Michigan, and Creighton to bring the Bearcats' season to a close in the Corvallis Regional.
Xavier is 43-66 all time against Cincinnati after splitting the season series 2-2 last year. The Bearcats claimed a 2-1 win in April in the Joe Nuxhall Classic before Xavier took 2-of-3 in regular season-closing series, including wins at Cincinnati, and at Great American Ballpark in the regular season finale.

vs. Indiana State
Fri. 3.20 - Sun. 3.22 (3 Games)
Hayden Field

The Sycamores finished 2019 at 43-18 over all and 13-8 in Missouri Valley play, earning the No. 3 seed to the MVC Tournament.
ISU won the MVC Championship to earn a bid the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Nashville Regional championship game where the Sycamores fell to eventual National Champion Vanderbilt.
Indiana State returns MVC Newcomer of the Year Collin Liberatore (RHP) as well as First Team selection Tyler Grauer (LHP).
The Sycamores lost MVC Defensive Player of the Year Jake Means, as well as all-conference selections Jarrod Watkins (2B), Roby Enriquez (OF), Tyler Ward (RHP) and Triston Polley (LHP) to graduation.
Xavier is 6-20 all time against the Sycamores, last playing a double header on March 23, 2018 at ISU, with the Musketeers falling in both games.

vs. Miami (Ohio)
Tue. 3.24 (1 Game)
Hayden Field

Miami finished 2019 at 37-19 overall and 15-11 in MAC play, earning the four seed in the MAC Tournament.
The RedHawks were eliminated from the MAC Tournament after falling in the opener to Northern Illinois, and advancing in the consolation bracket against Kent State. MU then fell to Ohio in a 17-inning outing to bring the season to a close.
Miami returns four All-MAC Honorees, including conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year and First Team selection Sam Bachman. The RedHawks also return first team selection Landon Stephens (2B) and Cole Andrews (DH) as well as second team selection Cal Elvers (C).
The RedHawks lost an All-MAC Second Team Selection in pitcher Jack Corbell to graduation.
Xavier is 31-44-1 against Miami all-time after the Musketeers went 2-0 against the RedHawks last season, winning 13-4 in Oxford and 7-4 at Hayden Field.
Xavier will also face Miami in the Joe Nuxhall Classic opener.

vs. Wright State
Wed. 3.25 and Tue. 3.31 (2 Games)
Fairborn, Ohio / Hayden Field

The Raiders finished 2019 at 42-17 overall and 22-8 in Horizon League play, earning the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
After opening the league tournament with a 15-3 win over NKU, back to back losses to UIC and Milwaukee brought Wright State's season to an end.
The Raiders return three All-Horizon League honorees, including Freshman of the Year Tyler Black (2B), who also earned first team honors, and Second-Team Honoree Bradley Brehmer (RHP). Both Black and Brehmer were also All-Freshmen selections, as well as Damon Dues who returns for the Raiders infield this season.
Wright State lost Horizon League Player of the Year, outfielder Peyton Burdick, who was named to five All-America Teams following the season. Burdick was drafted in the third round of the MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins following his red-shirt junior campaign. The Raiders also lost All-Horizon selection Seth Gray (3B), selected in the fourth round of the MLB draft by the Twins, as well as first-team selections seniors JD Orr (OF), Zach Weatherford (OF) and Bear Bellomy (RHP), as well as second-team selection Chase Slone (SS) to graduation.
Xavier is 31-38 all-time against Wright State after going 1-2 against the Raiders last season. Xavier took the first of two midweek games, 9-8, in 10 innings at Wright State to open the season series, then fell 10-0 the next day at Hayden Field. Xavier also faced the Raiders in the consolation bracket of the Joe Nuxhall Classic, falling 12-2 at Cincinnati.

vs. Furman
Fri. 3.27 - Sun. 3.29 (3 Games)
Hayden Field

The Paladins finished 2019 at 26-31 overall and 13-11 in SoCon play, earning the No. 5 seed in the league tournament.
Furman fell to Mercer in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament, then picked up a win over Western Carolina in the consolation bracket before ending the season with a loss to East Tennessee State.
Furman returns All-SoCon second team selection Dax Roper (C) and freshman team selection Rob Hughes (RHP), but lose All-SoCon First Teamer Jabari Richards (OF) to graduation.
Xavier is 2-3 all time, last facing off in 2015 where the Musketeers fell, 1-0, at Furman.

at Kentucky
Wed. 4.1 (1 Game)
Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky finished 2019 at 26-29 overall and 7-23 in SEC play, not earning a spot in the SEC Baseball Tournament.
The Wildcats lost Second Team All-SEC selection Zach Thompson (LHP) after Thompson was selected in the first round of the MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Xavier is 2-29 against UK all-time after falling 16-3 in Lexington last season.

at Northwestern
Fri 4.3 - Sun 4.5 (3 Games)
Evanston, Ill.

The Wildcats finished 2019 at 24-27 overall and 11-13 in Big Ten play, not earning a spot in the conference tournament.
Northwestern returns All-Big Ten Third Team selection Shawn Goosenberg (2B0, as well as All-Freshman Team selections Michael Doherty (SP) and Michael Trautwein (C). All-conference first team selections Jack Dunn (SS) and Alex Erro (3B) were both selected on the third day of the MLB draft.
Xavier is 2-4 all time against the Wildcats, with the last match-up coming in 2012, a 3-2 loss for the Musketeers in Florida.

vs. Dayton
Tue. 47 and Tue. 4.21 (2 Games)
Dayton, Ohio / Hayden Field

UD finished 2019 at 32-26-1 overall and 16-8 in Atlantic 10 play, earning the No. 3 seed in the A10 Tournament.
The Flyers picked up three wins in the A10 Tournament, but fell twice to Fordham to end the season.
Dayton returns All-A10 selections Hunter Wolfe (LHP), named to the second team, and Benjamin Blackwell (IF), who was named to the league's all-rookie team.
Xavier is 91-46-1 all-time against the Flyers, with the last match-up happening in 2015, 1 18-9 win for the Musketeers.

at Georgetown *
Thur. 4.9 - Sat. 4.11 (3 Games)
Washington, D.C.

The Hoyas finished 2019 at 22-34 overall and 7-11 in BIG EAST play, finishing in fifth place in the league and not earning a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.
The Hoyas return All-BIG EAST First Team Selection Eddie McCabe (INF). Four All-Conference second-team selections Jeremiah Burk (RHP), Kyle Ruedisili (OF), Jack Cushing (RHP) and Ryan Weisenberg (INF) either graduated or were drafted.
Xavier is 12-6 all-time against the Hoyas after sweeping GU in a three-game series at Hayden Field in 2019.

at Joe Nuxhall Classic
Tue. 4.14 and Wed. 4.15 (2 Games)
Oxford, OH

This year's Classic, the 12th time the tournament has been held, will be played at the Miami University' Hayden Park on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15.
Game one on Tuesday, to be played at 3:00 p.m., will be between Cincinnati and Wright State. Xavier and Miami will follow at 7:00 p.m.
The Joe Nuxhall Classic began in 2009 to honor its namesake, the legendary Reds player and announcer Joe Nuxhall, and to promote and celebrate amateur baseball in southwest Ohio.
Along with Xavier, Cincinnati, Miami and Wright State have participated in the classic each year, with the event switching between UC and Miami.
Xavier is 9-13 all-time in Joe Nuxhall Classic games, including claiming the inaugural title in 2009. The Musketeers were also runners-up in 2017.

vs. Creighton *
Fri. 4.17 - Sun. 4.19 (3 Games)
Hayden Field

Creighton finished the season at 41-13 overall and 14-4 in BIG EAST play, narrowly edging out the Musketeers for the top spot in the regular season standings.
Creighton won the BIG EAST Tournament to claim the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, going to the Corvallis Regional where the Bluejays eliminated defending champions Oregon State before being eliminated by eventual runners-up Michigan.
Creighton returns All-BIG EAST Second Team honoree Jared Wenger (OF/DH) but lost six all-conference performers to graduation or the draft, including BIG EAST Player of the Year, Jake Holton, BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year, Mitch Ragan, First Team honoree Isaac Collins (2B) and second team honorees Denson Hull (LHP), Evan Johnson (RHP) and Will Robertson (OF).
Xavier is 11-13 all-time against the Bluejays, including going 2-2 against CU last season. Xavier claimed the regular season series, 2-1, in Omaha, but Creighton won the final match-up, in the BIG EAST Tournament Championship Series, to claim the conference title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

at Butler *
Fri. 4.24 - Sun. 4.26 (3 Games)
Indianapolis, Ind.

Butler finished 2019 at 26-26 overall and 6-11 in BIG EAST play to finish just behind Georgetown in sixth place in the final standings, not earning a bid to the BIG EAST Tournament.
The Bulldogs return All-BIG EAST First Team selection Connor Schultz (RHP) but do not return First Team honoree Harrison Freed (OF) after he was selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.
Xavier is 59-33 all-time against at Butler after going 2-0 against the Bulldogs last season in a rain-shortened series.

vs. Eastern Kentucky
Wed. 4.29 (1 Game)
Hayden Field

The Colonels went 32-27 last season, including a 16-14 mark in OVC play, earning the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament.
EKU went 2-2 in the conference tournament before falling to Morehead State to conclude the 2019 season.
EKU returns All-OVC First Team selection Nick Howie (OF) and All-Freshman Team selections Logan Thomason (RHP) and Jacob Ferris (RHP), but do not return four all-conference selection in Aaron Ochsenbein, Ryland Kerr, Will Johnson and Kaven Brown.
Xavier is 20-27 all-time against EKU after falling 5-3 in Richmond last season.

vs. St. John's *
Fri. 5.1- Sun. 5.3 (3 Games)
Hayden Field

St. John's finished 2019 at 31-23 overall and 9-9 in BIG EAST play, taking a tie breaker with Seton Hall to take the third seed in the BIG EAST Tournament.
The Red Storm return All-BIG EAST First Team outfielder Mike Antico, but lost First Team selections Joe LaSorsa (LHP) and Gavin Hollowell (RHP) to the MLB Draft. Senior Wyatt Mascarella (C) was also a first team selection, signing as a free agent with the Royals following his final season with SJU.
Xavier is 10-14 all-time against the Red Storm after going 3-2 against SJU last season. Xavier took the regular season series, 2-1, in Queens, then the program's split match-ups in the BIG EAST Tournament, with the Red Storm claiming the tournament opener, and the Musketeers coming back to win in the consolation bracket to earn a spot in the BIG EAST Championship Series.

at Seton Hall *
Fri. 5.8 - Sat. 5.9 (3 Games)
South Orange, N.J.

Seton Hall went 25-28 overall in 2019, with a 9-9 record in BIG EAST play, losing a tie-breaker with St. John's to take the No. 4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament.
Xavier is 9-11 against the Pirates after going 2-2 against SHU last season. The Pirates took the regular season series 2-1, but Xavier pulled even in the season series with a win in the consolation bracket of the BIG EAST Tournament to eliminate the Pirates.
The Pirate return BIG EAST All-First Team Selection Tyler Shedler-McAvoy (OF) for his senior season, as well as second team selection Matt Toke (IF), but do not return second team honoree Ricky DeVito following his selection in the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves.
A double-header is planned for games two and three of the series on Saturday, May 9, 2020.

vs. Ohio State
Tue. 5.12 (1 Game)
Hayden Field

Ohio State finished 2019 at 36-27 overall and 12-12 in Big Ten play, earning the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament.
The Buckeyes went 4-1 over the five-day Big Ten Tournament to win the conference title and automatic bid to the tournament. The Buckeyes went 1-2 in the NCAA Nashville Regional, hosted by eventual national champions Vanderbilt, to end the 2019 season, topping McNeese State 9-8 in 13 innings in the consolation bracket after falling 8-2 to Vanderbilt. The Buckeyes were eliminated by Indiana State.
The Buckeyes return All-Big Ten Second Team selection Dillon Dingler (C), Third Team selection Seth Lonsway (LHP) and All-Freshman selections Zach Dezenzo (SS) and Garrett Burhenn (RHP).
OSU lost Big Ten First Team selection Dominic Canzone (OF) after he was drafted in the eighth round of the MLB Draft by the Diamond backs, as well as Second Team selection Brady Cherry (UTL) to graduation.
The Musketeers are 9-16 all time against the Buckeyes after falling 8-5 in Columbus last season.

vs. Villanova *
Thur. 5.14 - Sat. 5.16 (3 Games)
Hayden Field

The Wildcats went 13-28 overall in 2019, and 4-13 in conference play to finish in seventh place.
Villanova returns BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and All-BIG EAST Second Team selection Nick Lorussso (INF/RHP).
Xavier is 12-6 all-time against the Wildcats after going 2-0 in a rain-shortened series in 2019.

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