Xavier Baseball 2013

[GoMuskies]

Don't know much about the squad other than the scores I've seen posted, but the early returns look fairly promising. 2-4 after 3 game series at College of Charleston and UAB, but the pitching appears to be pretty good. The losses have been by scores of 6-3, 4-1, 4-3 and 4-2. Obviously need to get the bats going, but if you've got good pitching you'll at least be in most games and give yourself a shot.

As usual, X faces a brutal schedule to start the season. 25 of the first 27 games are on the road. If Xavier ever wants to get serious about baseball (and we probably don't), they need to invest in a field like the one at Louisville. The only dirt on the whole field in on the pitcher's mound, so absent snow, extreme cold or rain during the time the game is supposed to be played, the show goes on. You can actually play home games in February on that field, which Xavier clearly cannot do very often with a natural turf field.

[xudash]

Don't know much about the squad other than the scores I've seen posted, but the early returns look fairly promising. 2-4 after 3 game series at College of Charleston and UAB, but the pitching appears to be pretty good. The losses have been by scores of 6-3, 4-1, 4-3 and 4-2. Obviously need to get the bats going, but if you've got good pitching you'll at least be in most games and give yourself a shot.

As usual, X faces a brutal schedule to start the season. 25 of the first 27 games are on the road. If Xavier ever wants to get serious about baseball (and we probably don't), they need to invest in a field like the one at Louisville. The only dirt on the whole field in on the pitcher's mound, so absent snow, extreme cold or rain during the time the game is supposed to be played, the show goes on. You can actually play home games in February on that field, which Xavier clearly cannot do very often with a natural turf field.

I believe we just renovated that field. I don't know the specifics, but I don't believe it is as bad as you are suggesting.

[GoMuskies]

I'm not suggesting it's bad. I'm suggesting that it's located in Cincinnati, and that's not real conducive to February baseball. The fact that the team scheduled 25 of its first 27 on the road sort of speaks for itself.

[GoMuskies]

Here's a photo of the field at Louisville with no dirt outside the pitching mound:

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/lou/sports/genrel/auto_original/2490394.jpeg

Really the only way to do it if you want to be serious about college baseball and be this far north. Instead of playing 25 of their first 27 on the road, Louisville plays 24 of its first 29 at home (including a three game set against Xavier in mid-March) in essentially the same climate.

[xudash]

I'm not suggesting it's bad. I'm suggesting that it's located in Cincinnati, and that's not real conducive to February baseball. The fact that the team scheduled 25 of its first 27 on the road sort of speaks for itself.

I understand, but I believe they moved the former soccer field to the baseball field, improved drainage and all that. X isn't playing in a mud pit anymore. I certainly understand your point about baseball in Ohio in early March. We certainly aren't going to do anything like what UL did, though.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier got rained out against Miami at home yesterday, so Xavier is now scheduled to play 25 of its first 26 on the road.

[GoMuskies]

How's this for a turnaround? Xavier beat MTSU 12-0 on Saturday and then proceeded to lose 24-4 to the same team on Sunday.

X is a perfectly respectable 5-8 considering all 13 have been on the road. Looks like decent weather on Tuesday, so Xavier may finally get its home opener under its belt against Bryant. Then Xavier spends the weekend playing 3 at #5 Louisville.

[GoMuskies]

Not really a surprise, but Xavier got swept at Louisville this weekend. 6-0, 7-1 and 8-6, I believe. The third game was tied until the bottom of the 8th, so the Muskies at least put up a bit of a fight.

Based solely on seeing the scores and knowing who X has been playing, I would guess they end up finishing in the top half of the A-10. The competition certainly lightens up when conference play starts.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier swept St. Bonny by a combined 38-5 in three games over the weekend. 3-0 in conference play. Flagship!

Xavier came into the weekend 6-11, while the Bonnies came in 5-8, so the lopsided nature of this series was probably a bit of a surprise.

[GoMuskies]

SWEEP! Always fun to sweep Dayton no matter the sport. 7-2 in the A-10 now for the Muskies.

[Masterofreality]

sweep! Always fun to sweep dayton no matter the sport. 7-2 in the a-10 now for the muskies.

jimmy carter lives!!!!

[GoMuskies]

The Muskies have been on a bit of a tear. With a non-conference sweep at Evansville over the weekend, the Muskies are now 18-15 overall, remaining 7-2 in the A-10 (behind only SLU at 8-1 - the two teams have only lost to each other in conference play). Huge series against Charlotte coming up at home next weekend. Charlotte is 22-13, 6-3 in the league. Charlotte (22-13), SLU (25-11) and Richmond (23-11) should be the class of the league, but Xavier is hanging in there.

X is actually #50 in the RPI.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier with a huge 5-3 win over the Niners to get the weekend started. That's 7 in a row for the Muskies and 10 of 11.

[GetUp5]

XAVIER BASE IS BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:perfect10:

[Masterofreality]

Xavier with a huge 5-3 win over the Niners to get the weekend started. That's 7 in a row for the Muskies and 10 of 11.

Yep. Now 21-15 and 2 games in first over Charlotte.

[GoMuskies]

With a 4-3 win at Butler today (scored 2 in the ninth to steal the win), Xavier assured itself of finishing no worse than 6th in the A-10 and locking up a spot in the A-10 Tournament. With a win tomorrow, Xavier could finish as high as 2nd, but 4th seems much more likely.

Xavier doesn't hit much, but the pitching on this team is really solid.

[GoMuskies]

Muskies were 8-2 winners over GW this morning in Charlotte in the first round of the A-10 Tournament. Hopefully our guys get to flash the flagship one more time on the way out!

Strange to me, though, that Richard (Xavier's ace) was left in for the entire game. X had an 8-0 lead after 7 innings. I would have expected him to come out at that point to potentially have him available this weekend.

[bobbiemcgee]

Pitching has been good of late. Tyler Koors was A-10 POW last week. I like that the bullpen is still fresh. They'll need them all in this compressed series. Lose 2 your history.

Play SLU #1 seed tmrw......sounds familiar.

[GoMuskies]

10:00 am Eastern start time tomorrow. The A-10 Tournament set up is really bizarre. If you're in the 4/5 game, you're actually better off throwing your worst pitcher and tanking Game 1 than throwing your two best pitchers in winning your first game and losing the second. Six or eight teams making the tournament would make perfect sense. Seven? It makes no sense.

[flatspat]

10:00 am Eastern start time tomorrow. The A-10 Tournament set up is really bizarre. If you're in the 4/5 game, you're actually better off throwing your worst pitcher and tanking Game 1 than throwing your two best pitchers in winning your first game and losing the second. Six or eight teams making the tournament would make perfect sense. Seven? It makes no sense.

Seems that's what GW did. Starting pitcher's record was 4-6.

[XU '11]

10:00 am Eastern start time tomorrow. The A-10 Tournament set up is really bizarre. If you're in the 4/5 game, you're actually better off throwing your worst pitcher and tanking Game 1 than throwing your two best pitchers in winning your first game and losing the second. Six or eight teams making the tournament would make perfect sense. Seven? It makes no sense.

7 teams lets you only have to play 4 games per day and get the tourney done in 4 days.

If you have 8 teams, you either need an additional day or schedule 6 games on Day 2.

Also, it's really tough to win a double elimination tournament out of the losers bracket. The opportunity to advance in the winners bracket is why it's better to win that game.

[XU '11]

Seems that's what GW did. Starting pitcher's record was 4-6.

GW only has two pitchers that have started more than 8 games this season. One is 4-6 with a 3.36 ERA, the other is 6-4 with a 3.42 ERA. I don't think that is what GW did.

[GoMuskies]

Suck it up and have the extra day (if necessary only because if the winners' bracket champ wins the championship in their first try, four days is enough) or only invite six teams. Seven is unwieldy (and unfair).

[X-band '01]

I get that you want to stay out of the loser's bracket, but why not use your ace for a potential matchup with Saint Louis for tomorrow and use a #2 or #3 starter today? There seemed to be a dropoff between Xavier and GW at least in terms of overall record.

[GoMuskies]

I get that you want to stay out of the loser's bracket, but why not use your ace for a potential matchup with Saint Louis for tomorrow and use a #2 or #3 starter today? There seemed to be a dropoff between Xavier and GW at least in terms of overall record.

I think it's probably on the theory that if you throw Richard in game one, you can probably bring him back on a couple of days' rest to give you a few innings later in the event. I'm witn you, though. I would have given serious consideration to throwing Richard tomorrow and not today. Sure you're taking a risk, but you have to play to win the tournament, because coming in second is the same as losing your first two from Xavier's perspective.

[bobbiemcgee]

SLU has two starters outs. Klever will pitch for X.

[kyxu]

Elliott's catch over the bullpen the other day made Sportscenter's top 10. I could not find video of the actual top 10 countdown, but there is video of the catch here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYeU3z__q4Q

[Muskie]

Elliott's catch over the bullpen the other day made Sportscenter's top 10. I could not find video of the actual top 10 countdown, but there is video of the catch here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYeU3z__q4Q

Awesome seeing that on Sportscenter this morning. Hopefullty Fox1 has a similar show starting in August.

[GoMuskies]

Elliott's catch over the bullpen the other day made Sportscenter's top 10. I could not find video of the actual top 10 countdown, but there is video of the catch here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYeU3z__q4Q

That was a SportsCenter top 10 play?!? Must have been a slow day for good plays.

[GoMuskies]

The Muskies have squandered an early 3-0 lead and trail 4-3 in the sixth.

Nice two out rally in the 7th to knot things up at 5.

Xavier's literally giving the game away now. Four walks in the bottom of the 7th for the bullpen. 6-5 SLU.

Great back and forth battle. Leadoff HR for X and it's 6-6 heading to the bottom of the 8th.

Muskies win! Muskies win! Muskies win! An error with two outs in the top of the ninth allowed in an unearned run, and Xavier held on for the 7-6 win to advance to the winners bracket finals.

[muskiefan82]

I know it's baseball, but YES!!!!!

[Masterofreality]

St. Louis was #1 seed. Now XU plays tomorrow at noon vs either #2 seed Charlotte or #6 seed Rhody.

Double elimination.

[bobbiemcgee]

7 teams lets you only have to play 4 games per day and get the tourney done in 4 days.

If you have 8 teams, you either need an additional day or schedule 6 games on Day 2.

Also, it's really tough to win a double elimination tournament out of the losers bracket. The opportunity to advance in the winners bracket is why it's better to win that game.

And a crazy bracket it is:

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/atl10/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/13baseseeds.pdf

[muskiefan82]

So, St.Louis has to play again today since they lost to X? That sucks. For them. Which is okay.

[XU '11]

So, St.Louis has to play again today since they lost to X? That sucks. For them. Which is okay.

And they'll have to play two tomorrow and two the next day (and win them all) to claim the title.

[X-band '01]

Xavier plays Charlotte for a trip to Saturday; Charlotte won 2 of 3 at X earlier this season.

[xu95]

But if Xavier loses to Charlotte, they have to play again at 7PM tonight just to get to the championship game. Win at noon and they are looking good.

[GoMuskies]

If you're having a slow day at work (or have the ability to check in occasionally), the Xavier/Charlotte game (that is just about to start) is streaming for free here: http://www.atlantic10.com/allaccess/?media=390049

They must have some Charlotte students calling the game. Can't really expect them to roll out top quality broadcasters for a free stream of a bad conference baseball tournament, though.

[muskiefan82]

Has the game started yet? GameTracker shows nothing.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier's taking an ass-kicking. Down 5-0 in the fifth.

[SM#24]

Headed to the 9th down 11-1. Looks like we play later tonight against (1) SLU / (5) GW winner for the right to play UNCC in the final, where we'd need to win 2 in a row.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier actually got two in the 8th. It's 11-3 headed to the ninth. Not that it really matters. Go GW in the 3:30 game! If it's SLU, Xavier is likely dead.

Tyler Koors is taking one for the team at this point. He's out there in the 9th to finish out the game, and he's already thrown 125 pitches over the first 8 innning.

142 total pitches for Tyler Koors in what is probably his last appearance for Xavier. Complete game, 12 runs, 10 earned. Not something you see very often! Hope Xavier pays for the surgery to fix whatever damage he must have done to his arm this afternoon!

[muskiefan82]

Xavier actually got two in the 8th. It's 11-3 headed to the ninth. Not that it really matters. Go GW in the 3:30 game! If it's SLU, Xavier is likely dead.

Tyler Koors is taking one for the team at this point. He's out there in the 9th to finish out the game, and he's already thrown 125 pitches over the first 8 innning.

I believe the word you're searching for is Shellacked!

[SM#24]

Tyler Koors is taking one for the team at this point. He's out there in the 9th to finish out the game, and he's already thrown 125 pitches over the first 8 innning.

142 total pitches for Tyler Koors in what is probably his last appearance for Xavier. Complete game, 12 runs, 10 earned. Not something you see very often! Hope Xavier pays for the surgery to fix whatever damage he must have done to his arm this afternoon!
Put one in the MLB column for whether or not a pitcher should sign out of high school or go to college.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, you'd think Xavier would have some walk-on with a 14.00 ERA to throw out there for the last two innings. 12-3 and 22-3 are the same thing.

[bobbiemcgee]

X up 4-0 after 3 on SLU. Watch here:

http://www.atlantic10.com/allaccess/?media=390079

[flatspat]

4-4 in 6th

[flatspat]

4-4 bottom of 7

[flatspat]

6-4 SLU in 8th

[bobbiemcgee]

6-4 st louey in 8th. Billikens just hammering the ball now. X made some great plays or it could be worse.

[bobbiemcgee]

we out.

[GoMuskies]

Bye, bye Atlantic 10!

[paulxu]

Bye, bye Atlantic 10!

Hello Big East. Bring it on.