Xavier Begins Conference Play at Seton Hall

Friday, April 8

South Orange, N.J.

4 PM

Xavier University

15-16, 0-1

Seton Hall

7-21, 1-0

Xavier

Seton Hall

Photo by: Rooted Creative

04.08.22 | Baseball

Box Score

Luke Franzoni hits homer No. 13

By: Mark Leopold, Xavier Athletics Communications

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - Xavier faced a stiff challenge out of the gate as hot Pirates bats put the Musketeers in what would be an insurmountable 3-0 hole. Luke Franzoni moved into second place in the NCAA with his 13th homer, but it wasn't enough to knock off Seton Hall in Game one.

After three baserunners reached in the first for Xavier, it appeared to be a busy day at the plate. However, Seton Hall was the team to cash in with three runs in the inning, and added another in the fourth. Two more in the fifth madee it 6-0.

Luke Franzoni wouldn't let Xavier go away quietly, as he ripped a two-run bomb off the batter's eye in center to bring the Musketeers back, but they were unable to capitalize after two more men reached in the sixth. Good pitching from both sides forced the score to hold, and game one went to the Pirates.

Xavier is back for game two tomorrow at 1:00 pm ET, and game three on Sunday at noon.

XU AT THE PLATE

Luke Franzoni had a monster day, finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. All told, he was 3-4 including his two-run homer.
Jack Housinger went 2-4 today, and scored on Franzoni's blast.
Tyler DeMartino also went 2-4 including a double in this evening's action.

XU ON THE MOUND

All four pitches went exactly 2.0 innings today, led off by Trevor Olson's start.
Luke Bell Struck out three in the middle innings, but gave up one run.
Mile Halligan was next and did just a bit better, striking out four while allowing one run.
Justin Loer closed the game for Xavier, pitching a scoreless seventh and eighth inning with a strikeout to keep it close.