Xavier Wins Game One, Forces Game Two with UConn in BIG EAST Championship Series

Sunday, May 30

Prasco Park

1 PM

Xavier University

28-25

UConn

32-17

Xavier

UConn

Photo by: Rooted Creative

Xavier Wins Game One, Forces Game Two with UConn in BIG EAST Championship Series

05.30.21 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Photos

Musketeers face Huskies for the title at 5:50 PM

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Xavier used a big seventh inning to take control of the first game of the BIG EAST Championship series, scoring five runs in the frame to take the 5-4 win and force game seven to decided the conference title at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio.

The two teams were scoreless until the seventh inning when back-to-back Musketeer homers, a two-run shot from Andrew Walker followed immediately by a solo shot for Natale Monastra, put the Musketeers in front. Xavier added two more runs in the inning on an 2-RBI singles from Luke Franzoni to take a 5-0 lead.

The Huskies scored a run in seventh and then three more in the ninth to cut the lead to one, but couldn't get tying run across, forcing a game seven for the BIG EAST title. Trevor Olson picked up the win in the start and Nick Zwack earned the save after picking up the final out.

Xavier (28-25) and UConn (32-17) will play game seven to decide the 2021 BIG EAST Champions, with a start time set for 5:50 p.m. on FS2. Xavier has won the conference title three times, in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

SCORING RECAP

7TH INNING | Jack Housinger got aboard to lead off the inning after being hit by a pitch, to give Andrew Walker a base runner. Walker hit a shot deep to right field to bring in two runs and put Xavier ahead, 2-0. Natale Monastra came to the plate with no outs, hitting a solo shot to right field to put Xavier ahead, 3-0.

With two out Alex Helmin singled down the left field line, and back-to-back walks for Garrett Schultz and Sam Olson loaded the bases for Luke Franzoni, who singled to left field to bring in Helmin and Schultz putting Xavier ahead, 5-0.

XU AT THE PLATE

Andrew Walker hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning, his fifth of the season to put the Musketeers in front, he finished 2-4 at the plate with 2 RBI and a run scored.
Natale Monastra hit a solo shot in the seventh inning, his sixth of the season, to finish with an RBI and a run scored.
Luke Franzoni finished 2-5, including a two-RBI single in the seventh inning.
Alex Helmin went 2-5, coming around to score a run in the seventh inning.
Garrett Schultz had a pair of walks, coming around to score a run in the seventh inning.
Jack Housinger had three walks, coming around to score a run.
Jared Cushing and Tyler DeMartino also record hits.
Sam Olson finished with a pair of walks.

XU ON THE MOUND

Trevor Olson made the start, going 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits, striking out five and walking two. Olson picked up the win, his fifth of the season.
Michael Dillon entered for the final out of the seventh, going 1.1 innings, allowing two runs, both unearned, on one hit and three walks.
Trey Schramm recorded two outs in the ninth, allowing a run on two hits.
Nick Zwack entered with two outs in the ninth, picking up the final out and earning the save.