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Saint Xavier University

Official Athletics Website of the Saint Xavier University Cougars

Baseball
2
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SPRING 0-1
8
Winner Saint Xavier (Ill.) SXU 1-0
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SPRING
0-1
2
Final
8
Saint Xavier (Ill.) SXU
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SPRING 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 6 3
Saint Xavier (Ill.) SXU 0 0 0 0 0 8 X 8 8 0

W: Scott, Noah (1-0) L: Josh Murphy (0-1)

2
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SPRING 0-2
7
Winner Saint Xavier (Ill.) SXU 2-0
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SPRING
0-2
2
Final
7
Saint Xavier (Ill.) SXU
2-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SPRING 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 9 2
Saint Xavier (Ill.) SXU 0 0 1 0 3 0 3 0 X 7 11 1

W: Vargas, Julian (1-0) L: Kyler Hinken (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Saint Xavier Baseball Sweeps Spring Arbor in Season Opener

Millington, Tenn. – The Saint Xavier University baseball team (2-0/0-0 CCAC) began the 2024 season with a pair of victories over Spring Arbor University (Mich.) Friday afternoon in Millington, Tenn. Their twin bill scheduled for Saturday, February 10, was rained out and will not be made up. Sophomore designated hitter Aaron Orzech (Shorewood, Ill./Crossroads Christian Academy) went 1-for-3 with a two-run double and a run, junior infielder Konner Hutchings (O'Fallon, Mo./St. Charles CC/Liberty) also drove in two runs while going 2-for-3 in an 8-2 victory in game one. Orzech belted a three-run home run and Hutchings finished 4-for-4 with an RBI in a 7-2 triumph in game two.

Game One:
  • Junior outfielder Justin Massingale (Carbondale, Ill./St. Charles CC/Carbondale Community) went 2-for-3 from the leadoff spot with an RBI, a run and a stolen base in his Saint Xavier debut.
  • Junior pitcher Nico Saldias (Ajax, Ontario/Connors State/Pickering) made the start and he went 5.0 innings with four strikeouts with five hits, two runs (both earned) and two walks to settle for the no decision.
  • Junior pitcher Noah Scott (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) earned the win in relief (1-0) after he tossed 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one batter.
  • The 'Blue Cougars' struck first with a pair of sacrifice flies in the top of the third and the top of the fifth.
  • The 'Red Cougars' offense exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman infielder John Simecek (Twinsburg, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) reached on an error while collecting his first collegiate RBI to get SXU on the board. He finished 1-for-3 in his collegiate debut.
  • Orzech gave Saint Xavier the lead with a two-run double and Hutchings followed with a two-run single.
  • Junior outfielder Michael Flier (Greenup, Ill./Spoon River/Cumberland) lined an RBI single to center and an error allowed a run to cross the plate to push the lead to 7-2. Massingale capped the rally with an RBI base hit.
Game Two:
  • Massingale ripped a pair of doubles in four at-bats with a run, a stolen base and a walk.
  • Fifth-year senior catcher Evan Orzech (Shorewood, Ill./Crossroads Christian Academy) was a tough out as he drew three walks and went 1-for-1.
  • Senior pitcher Julian Vargas (Tinley Park, Ill./Tinley Park) took the mound and went 5.2 innings with six hits, two runs (one earned) and three strikeouts to come away with the victory (1-0).
  • Senior Jimmy Fairley (Lake in the Hills, Ill./Rock Valley/Huntley) pitched 2.1 innings of relief, giving up three hits with two strikeouts.
  • Sophomore pitcher Heath Mann (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) worked the ninth and he recorded a strikeout.
  • Spring Arbor jumped out to an early lead with a home run to start the Top of the second.
  • Massingale tied the game in the bottom of the third after he hit a leadoff double, stole third and scored on an error.
  • Aaron Orzech gave the Cougars the lead for good with a three-run blast over the left field wall in the bottom of the fifth.
  • SAU got a run back in the next half inning on an RBI single.
  • Simecek slugged an RBI double, Hutchings hit an RBI single and freshman pinch hitter Nick Altobelli (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) picked up his first collegiate RBI on a groundout to extend the advantage to 7-2 in the bottom of the seventh.
Saint Xavier (2-0/0-0 CCAC) returns to Millington, Tenn. to take part in the 2024 Midwest Clash with a pair of doubleheaders on Saturday February 17 and Sunday, February 18. The kickoff the tournament against University of Northwestern Ohio at 12:00 pm, followed by a matchup with Indiana University Kokomo.
 
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