Xavier Takes the Series over USC Upstate

Sunday, March 6

Spartanburg, S.C.

1 PM

Xavier University

2-9

USC - Upstate

7-4

Xavier

USC Upstate

Photo by: Rooted Creative

03.06.22 | Baseball

Box Score

George Eisenhardt pitches into the 8th to secure the win

By: Mark Leopold, Xavier Athletics Communications

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Xavier finished off the stint in Spartanburg with a series victory over USC Upstate, taking game three by a score of 7-4.

USC Upstate struck quickly in the first with two runs on three hits, but Xavier starter George Eisenhardt put the clamps on after that. Xavier took the lead in the third behind one of Jerry Huntzinger's two sacrifice flies, and a two-RBI single by Andrew Walker.

As Eisenhardt dealt, Xavier added a run in the fifth by way of a Matthew DePrey home run. USC Upstate evened the score in the bottom of the seventh, but Xavier immediately answered in the 8th by eclipsing the five-run plateau when Huntzinger scored on a double play ball. That would be all Xavier would need, as Jonathan Kelly and Grant Stephenson's runs in the ninth only served as a cushion for Jerry Huntzinger to notch the save and give Xavier the win.

The Musketeers start a six-match week on Tuesday at South Carolina. First pitch is at 7:00 pm ET.

XU AT THE PLATE

Xavier scored seven runs on just three hits, two coming from catcher Matthew DePrey including a solo home run in the fifth. He also scored two runs and walked as part of his 2-3 day.
The other hit came from Andrew Walker, a two-RBI single in the third to give Xavier their first lead of the game.
Jerry Huntzinger was all over the field today, starting the game at second and finishing on the mound. While in the batter's box, he hit two crucial sac flies, and would score after walking to account for three of Xavier's seven runs.
Jack Housinger, Jonathan Kelly, Grant Stephenson and Alex Helmin reached in various ways: walks, fielder's choices, errors, but they each accounted for a run in the win.

XU ON THE MOUND

Starter George Eisenhardt went the deepest any Musketeer has gone into a ballgame so far this season, going 7.1 innings and only allowing three earned runs while striking out five. He was credited with the win after Huntzinger's go-ahead score in the 8th.
Jared Gadd came in relief in the 8th, getting a strike out and slamming the door on the Spartan scoring threat.
As previously mentioned, Jerry Huntzinger played his fourth position of the season so far, serving as the closing pitcher and earning the save while picking up a strikeout.