Xavier Tops Villanova, 6-1, to Secure Series Win

Saturday, May 11

Villanova, Pa.

1 PM

Xavier University

23-27, 12-4

Villanova

13-35, 4-10

Xavier

Villanova

Xavier Tops Villanova, 6-1, to Secure Series Win

05.11.19 | Baseball

Box Score Season Stats (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Sam Czabala strikes out a career-high six in four innings of no-hit relief

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. -- Xavier's pitchers combined to allow a season-low two hits as Xavier topped Villanova, 6-1, to secure the series victory on Saturday afternoon. Xavier moved to 23-27 overall and 12-4 in BIG EAST play with the win, with the Musketeers claiming the advantage in five of six BIG EAST series this season.

Villanova took a 1-0 lead in the third before Xavier pitching shut down the Wildcat offense for the remainder of the game, not allowing a hit following the third inning, and only allowing four to get aboard in the final six innings. Musketeers tied the game in the fifth on a RBI single by Allbry Major and added three in the sixth to take its first lead of the game, 4-1. Xavier added an insurance run in the seventh and the ninth to set the final score at 6-1.

The series finale is set for tomorrow at noon.

XU AT THE PLATE

Ryan Altenberger went 3-of-5 at the plate, matching his season-high for hits set at Samford. Altenberger also collected a run.
Chris Givin went 3-of-5 at the plate, scoring a run.
Luke Franzoni went 2-of-4 at the plate with a run scored and and RBI.
Jake Shepski collected two RBI, going 1-of-4 at the plate with a walk.
Allbry Major collected an RBI and scored a run after going 2-of-5 at the plate.
Natale Monastra scored a run and collected an RBI with a pair of walks on the day.
Matt Warkentin also collected a hit, as Xavier combined for 13 hits and five walks.

XU ON THE MOUND

Conor Grammes made the start, going 5.0 innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just one run on two hits and three walks. Grammes was credited with the win, his fourth of the season.
Sam Czabala came in for the sixth inning, pitching four innings of no-hit baseball. Czabala struck out six of 13 batters faced, a career-high for strikeouts, with only one base runner allowed on a walk. Czabala is credited with the save, his first of the season.
The combined two hits is the lowest hit total allowed this season for the Musketeers. The previous season low was four.

HOW THEY SCORED

FOURTH INNING | Conor Grammes singled with two outs, and stole second to get in scoring position. After a Jake Shepski walk put runners on first and second, Allbry Major singled to left field, bringing Grammes home to tie the game, 1-1.

SiXTH INNING | Chris Givin led off the inning with single to left center, and Luke Franzoni singled to left field to give Xavier a pair of baserunners. A Natale Monastra walk loaded the bases, and an error on the VU shortstop allowed Grammes to reach first, brining Givin home to make the score 2-1 Xavier. With the bases loaded, Jake Shepski singled to center field to bring Franzoni and Monastra home, making the score 4-1.

SEVENTH INNING | Ryan Altenberger hit a two-out single to left field and came home on a triple by Luke Franzoni, making the score 5-1.

NINTH INNING | Allbry Major singled to lead off the inning, and a Chris Givin single and Andrew Sexton walk loaded the bases with two outs. Natale Monastra walked to bring in a run, putting Xavier up, 6-1.