Baseball Drops BIG EAST Opener at UConn

Friday, March 27

Storrs, Conn.

3:05 PM

Xavier University

8-19, 0-1

UConn

13-14, 1-0

Xavier

UConn

03.27.26 | Baseball

Box Score Season Stats Box Score (PDF)

Musketeers and Huskies set for 1:05 p.m. start for game two on Saturday

By: Xavier Athletic Communications

STORRS, Conn. - Xavier baseball got the tying run into scoring position in the ninth inning, but were unable to even the score, falling 3-1 to UConn in the BIG EAST opener at Elliot Ballpark on Friday afternoon.

The Musketeers moved to 8-19 (0-1 BIG EAST) on the year, while the Huskies improved to 13-14 (1-0 BIG EAST).

The game was scoreless into the bottom of the fourth, when UConn put three runs on the board, with only one earned, to take a 3-0 advantage. The Musketeer pitching staff held UConn off the board after the fourth, facing the minimum in the sixth and seventh innings, and starter Ryan Piech collected seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work, but Huskies took the three-run lead and the shutout into the ninth.

Tommy Townsend led off the ninth with a single, and JD Crisp got aboard with a walk to put two on with one out for the Musketeers. Jorge Valdes sent a single to center field to bring Townsend in from second and get the Musketeers on the board. A double steal for Crisp and Valdes moved the tying run into scoring position but the Musketeers were unable to bring another run home, setting the final score at 3-1.

The series with the Huskies continues on Saturday, March 28, with game two set for a 1:05 p.m. start on ESPN+.

AT THE PLATE

Jorge Valdes got on with a hit (1-4) and a walk. His ninth inning single drove in an RBI.
Tommy Townsend finished 1-3 with a walk, scoring a run after getting on with a single in the ninth.
JD Crisp went 1-1 with two walks. He was also hit by a pitch.
Jason Jelic went 2-2 with a double.
Luke Hammond (1-3) and Jonathan Fitz (1-5) each recorded a hit.
Clay Burdette got on with a walk, extending his reached base streak to 14 games.

on the mound

Ryan Piech made the start on the mound, going 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, just one earned, on seven hits. Piech finished with seven strikeouts to four walks.
Joey Arend came in for the sixth, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings without giving up a walk or issuing a walk.
Michael Murphy entered for the final out of the seventh, picking it up with a strikeout. He went 1.0 inning without allowing a run, giving up one hit.
Sam Hoeft entered for the final out of the eighth, picking it up against the first batter he faces to record 0.1 inning of work.

VIDEO