Saturday, May 14
Cincinnati, Ohio
1:00 pm
Creighton University
5
at
6
Xavier
Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Late Rally Upends Baseball in 6-5 Loss
5/14/2016 4:45:00 PM | Baseball
Cincinnati, Ohio -- Staked to an early 5-0 lead, the Creighton Baseball team watched as Xavier walked off with a 6-5 win over the Bluejays on Saturday, May 14.
The loss dropped Creighton to 33-12 on the season and 11-3 in BIG EAST play, while the Musketeers moved to 23-27 overall and 10-4 in conference action.
Creighton took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to an RBI groundout from senior Brett Murray and a two-run blast to left from junior Kevin Connolly. Seniors Reagan Fowler and Matt Gandy opened the frame with singles to put Bluejays at the corners, then Murray forced Gandy at second to give Creighton a 1-0 edge. One out later, Connolly hit the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for his first career home run as a Bluejay.
The third inning saw Creighton extend its lead to 5-0 as Woodrow reached second on an error. One batter later, senior Ryan Fitzgerald blasted an RBI triple to right. Fowler followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Bluejays a 5-0 edge.
Xavier battled back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, chasing starter Jeff Albrecht with two walks and an RBI single to open the frame. Reliever Connor Miller walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, but struck out Nate Soria and got Chris Givin to pop out. Will LaRue, however, smashed a three-run double to right to make it a 5-4 contest.
The Musketeer comeback continued in the fourth as a leadoff double by Roger Danison resulted in the tying run via a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch.
The ninth inning provided a chance for the Bluejays to seize the game as Fowler came to the plate with one down and runners at first and second. Xavier countered with closer Garrett Schilling, who Fowler greeted with a single to left. Head coach Ed Servais sent Woodrow from second, but the speedy center fielder was cut down at the plate for the second out of the inning.
After the Bluejays failed to score in the top half of the ninth, Xavier claimed the game with two singles a walk and a hit batter.
Sophomore Ethan DeCaster took the loss (1-1), allowing one run on two hits in 1.2 innings.
Schilling (2-3) earned the win, holding Creighton scoreless in two-thirds of an inning.
Connolly was the offensive star of the game, closing the contest 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Creighton and Xavier will battle for the series and first place in the BIG EAST on Sunday, beginning at 11:00 am.
The loss dropped Creighton to 33-12 on the season and 11-3 in BIG EAST play, while the Musketeers moved to 23-27 overall and 10-4 in conference action.
Creighton took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to an RBI groundout from senior Brett Murray and a two-run blast to left from junior Kevin Connolly. Seniors Reagan Fowler and Matt Gandy opened the frame with singles to put Bluejays at the corners, then Murray forced Gandy at second to give Creighton a 1-0 edge. One out later, Connolly hit the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for his first career home run as a Bluejay.
The third inning saw Creighton extend its lead to 5-0 as Woodrow reached second on an error. One batter later, senior Ryan Fitzgerald blasted an RBI triple to right. Fowler followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Bluejays a 5-0 edge.
Xavier battled back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, chasing starter Jeff Albrecht with two walks and an RBI single to open the frame. Reliever Connor Miller walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, but struck out Nate Soria and got Chris Givin to pop out. Will LaRue, however, smashed a three-run double to right to make it a 5-4 contest.
The Musketeer comeback continued in the fourth as a leadoff double by Roger Danison resulted in the tying run via a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch.
The ninth inning provided a chance for the Bluejays to seize the game as Fowler came to the plate with one down and runners at first and second. Xavier countered with closer Garrett Schilling, who Fowler greeted with a single to left. Head coach Ed Servais sent Woodrow from second, but the speedy center fielder was cut down at the plate for the second out of the inning.
After the Bluejays failed to score in the top half of the ninth, Xavier claimed the game with two singles a walk and a hit batter.
Sophomore Ethan DeCaster took the loss (1-1), allowing one run on two hits in 1.2 innings.
Schilling (2-3) earned the win, holding Creighton scoreless in two-thirds of an inning.
Connolly was the offensive star of the game, closing the contest 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Creighton and Xavier will battle for the series and first place in the BIG EAST on Sunday, beginning at 11:00 am.
Players Mentioned
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