Xavier Drops Season Opener at Alabama

Friday, February 18

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

4 PM

Xavier University

Alabama

02.18.22 | Baseball

Box Score

Franzoni, Housinger lead offense in defeat

By: Mark Leopold, Xavier Athletics Communications

TUSCALOOSA, AL - Xavier baseball stepped in to Sewell-Thomas Stadium to kick off the 2022 Campaign and fought hard, but Alabama ultimately came away with a walk-off victory.

Luke Franzoni homered on the very first pitch of the season, and after a walk in the third, Jack Housinger doubled him home to put Xavier up 2-0. An Alabama home run by Dominic Tamez brought the Tide closer in the fourth, but Housinger answered again in the 6th with a two-run blast, scoring Franzoni again. The Musketeers entered the bottom of the ninth with a 4-1 lead, but Tamez went deep for the second time to spark a rally that saw the Tide hit a walk-off home run to end it.

The Musketeers are back in action tomorrow for Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm ET. The Series finale is on Sunday at 2:00 pm ET.

XU AT THE PLATE

Luke Franzoni went 2-3 with a home run on the first pitch of the season, and he scored three runs of Xavier's run runs.
Jack Housinger went 2-4 behind Franzoni, including three RBIs off of a double and a two-run homer in the 6th.
Jared Cushing is the owner of Xavier's first stolen base of the season. After reaching on an error, he swiped a bag in the 7th to keep the pressure on.
Eddie Rivero went 1-3 with a single in the 7th.

XU ON THE MOUND

Trevor Olson drew the start and pitched five innings and only gave up one earned run. He struck out two of 19 batters faced, and only allowed six baserunners.
Junior Luke Bell came in relief of Olson, and pitched three innings without allowing a baserunner and notching three strikeouts in the process.
Lane Flamm came in for the save chance, but surrendered two home runs and two doubles as Alabama came away with the win.