Xavier Baseball 2017

[X-band '01]

GoXavier.com - Xavier Picked to Finish 1st in the Big East - Baseball (http://goxavier.com/news/2016/12/20/baseball-joe-gellenbeck-selected-big-east-preseason-player-of-year-as-seven-earn-preseason-all-big-east-honors.aspx)

Xavier and St. John's actually tied in the poll, but Xavier got 4 1st-place votes to the Johnnies' 3. Senior Joe Gellenbeck was also tabbed as the preseason Big East player of the year.

The season will start with a 4-game series on the road at Troy on Friday, February 17. First home game will be against Ohio State on Sunday, March 19.

[X-band '01]

Opening Night will be tonight at 7 PM against Troy.

GoXavier.com Series Preview (http://goxavier.com/news/2017/2/16/xavier-baseball-embarks-on-2017-campaign-this-weekend-at-troy.aspx)

They have links for free audio and also live video for a nominal fee on Troy's website.

[GoMuskies]

Muskies are 1-0!

[X-band '01]

Zac Lowther showed why he had a great summer in the Cape Cod league. He struck out 8 and allowed 2 runs (1 hit) in 5 innings.

[BMoreX]

He's going to make some good money in the draft.

[GoMuskies]

X is 4-4 after splitting with both Troy and Penn State. A very respectable start.

[GoMuskies]

By the way, Xavier's next nine are all on the road at the likes of Charlotte, Georgia, Southern Miss and Louisville. If the Muskies can just avoid finishing that stretch with a 4-13 record and are competitive in most games, it will be a success.

[paulxu]

I'm curious as to how the baseball team travels. Do they go by bus or plane?
We often talk about the basketball team traveling for one night, and the cost involved.
The baseball team would (I think) be taking a lot more people to away games, and they are staying for 3 and 4 game series sometimes.
That would mount the costs up, with hotels, meals, etc.

[GoMuskies]

I suspect that it's mostly by bus. Maybe Creighton is far enough that a flight is necessary.

I did hear the Utah Valley parents talking about their kids catching their flight back home after a weekend series at Wichita State a couple weeks ago. That's about a 15 hour drive, and you have to think Xavier is AT LEAST as generous as Utah Valley in paying for travel. So you can assume anything over 15 hours is a plane. I'd be surprised if anything less than 10 hours merits a plane.

[X-band '01]

The starting rotation has been very good so far - Zac Lowther, Garrett Schilling (last year's closer), Trent Astle and Greg Jacknewitz.

[XUMIOH12]

By the way, Xavier's next nine are all on the road at the likes of Charlotte, Georgia, Southern Miss and Louisville. If the Muskies can just avoid finishing that stretch with a 4-13 record and are competitive in most games, it will be a success.

wow, yeah thats an extremely difficult stretch

[GetUp5]

I'm curious as to how the baseball team travels. Do they go by bus or plane?
We often talk about the basketball team traveling for one night, and the cost involved.
The baseball team would (I think) be taking a lot more people to away games, and they are staying for 3 and 4 game series sometimes.
That would mount the costs up, with hotels, meals, etc.

One of my buddies played baseball at X a few years back. When they were in the A10, they took a bus everywhere. I remember them flying once, but I think it was for the NCAA Tournament in Houston, which I believe the NCAA pays for.

I remember them saying something about the home team in these non-conference games paying for the hotel rooms, similar to Xavier basketball paying schools for 'guarantee' games. But, yeah, they routinely travel 25 players, 4-5 coaches, 1-2 trainers, etc. A lot of people.

[Muskie]

I don't profess to follow college baseball that much, but why doesn't X play Home and Away with each Big East Member? I assume it has to do with cost?

[GoMuskies]

I don't profess to follow college baseball that much, but why doesn't X play Home and Away with each Big East Member? I assume it has to do with cost?

That would be too many games. No conference does that.

[Muskie]

That would be too many games. No conference does that. So cost and number of games. Makes sense.

[X-band '01]

Every conference does 3-game series during the weekends and noncon games midweek.

[GoMuskies]

Every conference does 3-game series during the weekends and noncon games midweek.

Was it the A-10 or the MCC that used to do four gamers?

[GoMuskies]

Xavier's weekend opponent got some love from D1 Baseball. Xavier even got a slight shout out.

https://d1baseball.com/roundup/d1-digest-wednesday-march-1/

[GoMuskies]

1-2 weekend in Charlotte. Not bad. One of the losses was competitive.

Too much to ask for a split in Athens against the Dawgs? First pitch at 5 tonight. Both teams are 5-6.

[X-band '01]

They're up 8-4 in the middle of the 5th (also available on WatchESPN).

However, it has been raining and needs 5 full innings to be official.

[casualfan]

They're up 8-4 in the middle of the 5th (also available on WatchESPN).

However, it has been raining and needs 5 full innings to be official.

Its coming down really hard. Im shocked theyre still playing.

[X-band '01]

They suspended the game in the 7th - they're up 8-4 and will finish the game tomorrow at 4 PM before their regularly scheduled game. I think only the nightcap will be on WatchESPN.

[GoMuskies]

Georgia got three in the ninth, but Xavier won 8-7. Second game starts at 6.

[bobbiemcgee]

X loaded bases in 2nd but no luck 0-0

[bobbiemcgee]

Oops lost 11-6

[paulxu]

Fell in the 2nd game.

[GoMuskies]

Nice opportunity for the Muskies Wednesday. They visit Louisville, who at 15-0 is the only remaining undefeated team in the country and the newly minted #1 team in the country according to Baseball America and the coaches' poll. Why not Xavier knocking them off that perch?

[X-band '01]

I noticed that St. John's is ranked #19 in the DIBaseball.com Top 25 this week.

[GoMuskies]

Muskies with a 3-0 lead over undefeated and #1 Louisville in the third inning.

http://www.sidearmstats.com/louisville/baseball/

This is actually a better source for live stats:

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=161833

[GoMuskies]

Well, Xavier is NOT going to be the team to break Louisville's winning streak. 9-4 Cards now in the bottom of the 7th. 4 runs in for Louisville in the 7th with still only one out and two guys on.

One bright spot: Louisville's Brendan McKay came into the game hitting about .550, and he's only 1-4 with a single today.

[GoMuskies]

As if today wasn't sweet enough, the Muskies went up to Columbus and beat the Buckeyes 3-2 in baseball. Playing two at Hayden Field tomorrow.

[X-band '01]

They're playing 2 at Hayden because the Friday game that was supposed to be at OSU got postponed. Not sure why OSU didn't try to fit in a doubleheader at their place yesterday, but I certainly won't complain about it.

Xavier is leading 3-0 in the opener after 2 innings.

[X-band '01]

Xavier wins the opener 5-4 on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Mitch Gallagher.

Now they'll send Greg Jacknewitz to the mound in the 2nd game for a potential 3-game sweep over the Buckeyes.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier swept Ohio State on a walk off 2 run homer. 6-5

[GoMuskies]

According to goxavier.com, the last time Ohio State was swept by an in-state opponent, I had not yet been born. It last happened in 1975.

[X-band '01]

As nice as the sweep over Ohio State was, they may actually be playing a tougher in-state opponent tomorrow when they host Wright State at Hayden Field. The Raiders were also a regional finalist in Louisville's region last year.

[X-band '01]

So far, things are looking good for a midweek win against Wright State. Trent Astle allowed 3 runs in 6 1/3 IP - the Muskies lead 6-3 going into the 7th inning stretch.

Still, if you saw Wright State's act last season in the NCAA Tournament, don't count out the rally deer just yet.

[GetUp5]

Freshman DH Conor Grammes was Big East Player of the Week last week.

Heck of a job Coach Googins and Coach O'Conner are doing with the Xavier Baseball program.

[GoMuskies]

7-3 now in the 8th.

Xavier is currently 10-10, and #46 in the RPI. Wright State came into today #12 in the RPI (12-6 record).

Some other noteable Xavier opponents:

St. John's is 14-2 and #5 in the RPI
Southern Miss is 16-4 and #20 in the RPI (one of their 4 losses is to Xavier)
Louisville is 19-0 and #28 in the RPI (#1 in most polls but a horrible schedule)
Charlotte is 13-7 and #37 in the RPI
Seton Hall is 10-8 and #44 in the RPI
Ohio State is 8-11 and #76 in the RPI (0-3 vs. Xavier)


If Xavier wins a lot from here on out (and wins the Big East Tournament), they're in pretty decent shape to avoid being the dreaded #4 seed in the regional this year.

[X-band '01]

7-4 victory. Now they'll get a chance to pad the win column this weekend with a 3-game against Illinois State at Hayden Field.

[X-band '01]

7-3 now in the 8th.

Xavier is currently 10-10, and #46 in the RPI. Wright State came into today #12 in the RPI (12-6 record).

Some other noteable Xavier opponents:

St. John's is 14-2 and #5 in the RPI
Southern Miss is 16-4 and #20 in the RPI (one of their 4 losses is to Xavier)
Louisville is 19-0 and #28 in the RPI (#1 in most polls but a horrible schedule)
Charlotte is 13-7 and #37 in the RPI
Seton Hall is 10-8 and #44 in the RPI
Ohio State is 8-11 and #76 in the RPI (0-3 vs. Xavier)


If Xavier wins a lot from here on out (and wins the Big East Tournament), they're in pretty decent shape to avoid being the dreaded #4 seed in the regional this year.

Make that 19-1 for Louisville. They lost 6-3 at Cincinnati tonight.

[bobbiemcgee]

I love those new caps with the Big X and the multicolor "BIG EAST" on the back. Anybody know where to get one?

[Muskie]

I love those new caps with the Big X and the multicolor "BIG EAST" on the back. Anybody know where to get one? If you tweet Greg Christopher or Tom Eisner( I think it's Tom) it might get it on the radar for the bookstore.

[BMoreX]

I'd also love for the bookstore to sell a normal X hat with the mesh that the MLB teams have for their batting practice hats.

[X-band '01]

Been a rough week on the diamond - they had a pair of bad losses within the past week. One was to Illinois State at home last Saturday and another at Miami last night. They get a weekend series at home against Fairleigh Dickinson and a midweek game against Miami before Big East play starts the following weekend.

[GoMuskies]

That's not too bad. Getting 2 of 3 in a weekend series is fine.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier nipped Fairleigh Ridiculous 22-9 in the series opener. 7 HRs for X.

[Masterofreality]

Xavier nipped Fairleigh Ridiculous 22-9 in the series opener. 7 HRs for X.

Seems as if Fairly Ridiculous is fairly defenseless when they play games on Xavier's campus. #117-75 2012.

[X-band '01]

Why are we posting Social Security numbers on a message board?

[GoMuskies]

15-3 today. Nice weekend sweep. Ready for Big East play!

[GoMuskies]

The Muskies are watching their RPI slide into oblivion despite getting some wins. FDU was an atrocious team, so despite the 3-1 week, Xavier's RPI slipped 28 spots to 99. Playing 3-15 Villanova this weekend won't help much either. Need to get three in Philly.

Best case scenario for the league (and for us) is for 21-2 St. John's to mow down the conference (other than us!) and then lose to Xavier in the Big East Tournament in Omaha. That way we'd get St. John's in as an at-large and Xavier as the auto-bid. I still think there's some slight chance of Xavier getting a 3 seed instead of a 4 if we win the Big East Tournament. Particularly if Xavier beats St. John's 2 of 3 in the regular season and then twice in the BET.

[X-band '01]

The losses to Illinois State and at Miami are the only real poison pills so far.

[bobbiemcgee]

Geesh. What the hell happened to the BlueJays?

https://d1baseball.com/conference/big-east-conference

[GoMuskies]

Looks like 5 teams vying for 4 spots in Omaha. Attendance at the Big East Tournament will be nonexistent.

[GetUp5]

This is one of the best Xavier teams in years and it's still nearly impossible for them to get an at-large bid. The advantage of the southern schools is still way too much to overcome. Pretty crazy the kind of success St. John's has had this season. I wish we'd have gotten them at Hayden Field this season - would have been interesting to see what kind of crowd they'd get assuming SJU would still be ranked around #14.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville is 90 miles south and ranked #2. It can be done. But probably not with Hayden Field in its current setup. And probably not in this Big East.

[GoMuskies]

I see that Trent Astle is starting for X and has a 7.24 ERA on the season so far. Hopefully he can get it together, because he had a really good season for X last year. They'll definitely need him down the line.

[X-band '01]

Louisville is 90 miles south and ranked #2. It can be done. But probably not with Hayden Field in its current setup. And probably not in this Big East.

That's also why a home game for Seton Hall to be televised on FS1 is being moved to a baseball complex in Mason - Hayden Field is inadequate for a TV production crew.

[Muskie]

The baseball and Soccer Complexes are in desperate need of updating (at the worst) or rethought and rebuilt. We have a great soccer program that spent most of the season playing home games on the road because the field flooded.

[GoMuskies]

Muskies are currently opening up the Big East season at 3-15 Villanova. Xavier leads 1-0 top four. This is a series that Xavier really needs to sweep. At LEAST 2 of 3.

[GoMuskies]

Just wanted to mention that you might like checking out Zac Lowther's line through 6 innings. 18 batters faced. 13 Ks. 0 baserunners.

[GoMuskies]

24 up and 24 down for Lowther now. 16 Ks.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

How are you tracking this?

[GoMuskies]

How are you tracking this?

http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=173501

[GoMuskies]

Walked the leadoff guy on 4 pitches. Damn. He's thrown 119 pitches. And they pulled him. Good call. Don't get him hurt chasing a no-hitter.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Eke out a win now. Damn.

[GoMuskies]

Lost 3-2. Unbelievable.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Damn, you get my hopes up and 10 minutes later crush them. Hah.

[GoMuskies]

You jinxed it by following! :)

[XMuskieFTW]

That was baddd. Loether improving that draft stock though.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Most definitely, block me from now on. Actually that is probably a good idea for all of my posts.

[GoMuskies]

Lost 1-0 to Villanova today. Bad weekend.

[SM#24]

Go, you'll be happy to know that the Wichita Wingnuts signed Charlie Leesman

[GoMuskies]

Go, you'll be happy to know that the Wichita Wingnuts signed Charlie Leesman

Woo hoo! Actually, I find independent league baseball kind of depressing and would encourage Charlie to get on with his life. But he's welcome at my house for dinner any time.

[GoMuskies]

By the way, I just noticed that St. John's lost 2 of three this weekend to a bad Creigton squad, so Xavier losing 2 of 3 at Villanova wasn't quite the disaster it otherwise seemed to be. More of a missed opportunity now.

[X-band '01]

Yesterday was another tough day for the bullpen - they blew a 4-run lead late in the 8th inning and ended up losing 8-7 to Wright State.

But as Go noted above, the next 3 games are where Xavier really needs to make hay with Seton Hall coming to Xavier for a 3-game weekend series. Tonight's game will be at 8 PM on FS1 at Mason's Prasco Park.

[BMoreX]

So why is the game tonight off site? Lights related or TV related I'd assume?

[BMoreX]

Lot of scouts to see Lowther.

[Masterofreality]

So why is the game tonight off site? Lights related or TV related I'd assume?

Lights

[BMoreX]

Lights

Damn. Shame. Hayden Field has a beautiful backdrop.

[paulxu]

39 pitches in first 2 innings.
Looks like a lot of people there. Just out for a game?
They've got Xavier painted on the grass in front of the dugouts. Do we play there a lot?

Edit: I'd love to get one of those ball caps with Big East on the back. Did not see them in the bookstore last visit.

[GoMuskies]

This Lowther kid is legit.

[BMoreX]

This Lowther kid is legit.

Early guess is he goes top 3 rounds in the draft this year.

Could continue to jump.

[xudash]

39 pitches in first 2 innings.
Looks like a lot of people there. Just out for a game?
They've got Xavier painted on the grass in front of the dugouts. Do we play there a lot?

Edit: I'd love to get one of those ball caps with Big East on the back. Did not see them in the bookstore last visit.

Would love on answer on that as well. Is our stadium being renovated.

[xudash]

Nice finish!

[X-band '01]

After taking 2 of 3 against Seton Hall over the weekend, Xavier walloped Cincinnati 9-1 in the opener of the Joe Nuxhall Classic yesterday. They play Miami at 3 PM today for their first championship in this event since it started in 2009 (which Xavier also won). They already split their season series with Miami.

[GoMuskies]

Huge series for Xavier this weekend against Butler. Only the top 4 in the league make it to the Big East Tournament, and since Xavier failed so miserably at Villanova in their opening weekend, it makes it that much more important that Xavier wins series from the other decent Big East teams. Job well done against Seton Hall last week. Now Butler, who is 23-13. They're only 2-4 in the Big East, but that's because they had to play St. John's last week and got swept (likely to be a regular occurrence for Johnny opponents). This is a team Xavier needs to get 2 of 3 from at a minimum at home to stay on pace to get to Omaha for the Big East Tournament.

[X-band '01]

Xavier has lost only 2 home games all year - the odds are in their favor for now.

St. John's and Creighton are both solidly Top 4 for now, and there's no guarantee that Villanova will stay near the top, either. Seton Hall is the team that's really sweating things out because they lost 2 of 3 at home to Butler a couple of weeks ago.

[GoMuskies]

Creighton will be 5-4 after this weekend is my guess. And Villanova may not win another Big East game (other than against Georgetown), which will be a problem for Xavier as all the other teams beat up on them.

Nevermind on Creighton. For some reason I thought they were playing St. John's this weekend. They'll likely be 8-1 after the 3 games with Villanova.

And Seton Hall will probably get three wins over Georgetown, putting even more pressure on Xavier to win the Butler series.

[GoMuskies]

Butler's Jeff Schank came into today's contest with a gaudy 1.31 ERA in 62 innings pitched, and he was staked to a 3-0 lead after 3.5. The Muskies have rallied to take a 6-3 lead with 6 earned runs against the Butler senior. Lowther wasn't on his game today (pulled after 3 ER in 4 innings), but his offense picked him up. Now it's up to the pen.

[X-band '01]

Lowther gave up a pair of homeruns (one solo, another a 2-run shot) that accounted for all of Butler's offense so far.

As I type, Xavier's up 7-3 in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and a chance to blow this one wide open.

[GoMuskies]

12-3. Nice.

[X-band '01]

Second game has been awesome if you love offense. Xavier up 16-10 in the top of the 8th, but this was 14-2 after 5 innings. Bullpen has been shaky outside of Brad Kirschner today, and really puts the onus on Greg Jackniewitz to get a long outing tomorrow.

[GoMuskies]

SWEEP!!!!

That was huge for X. Now 6-3 in the league. As long as they take care of business against Georgetown, making it to Omaha should be safe.

[X-band '01]

Getting 2 or 3 wins at St. John's/Creighton would be real helpful.

[Muskie]

Seriously thinking about going to Bloomington to see them play.

[X-band '01]

Here's the remaining series for everyone in the Big East:

Creighton (8-1) - Xavier, at Seton Hall, at Butler
Xavier (6-3) - at Creighton, at St. John's, Georgetown
St. John's (4-2) - Seton Hall, at Georgetown, Xavier, Villanova
Seton Hall (5-4) - at St. John's, Creighton, at Villanova
Villanova (2-4) - Georgetown, at Butler, Seton Hall, at St. John's
Butler (2-7) - Villanova, at Georgetown, Creighton
Georgetown (0-6) - at Villanova, St. John's, Butler, at Xavier

[GoMuskies]

Here's the remaining series for everyone in the Big East:

Creighton (8-1) - Xavier, at Seton Hall, at Butler
Xavier (6-3) - at Creighton, at St. John's, Georgetown
St. John's (4-2) - Seton Hall, at Georgetown, Xavier, Villanova
Seton Hall (5-4) - at St. John's, Creighton, at Villanova
Villanova (2-4) - Georgetown, at Butler, Seton Hall, at St. John's
Butler (2-7) - Villanova, at Georgetown, Creighton
Georgetown (0-6) - at Villanova, St. John's, Butler, at Xavier

Yeah, based on that remaining schedule, Butler isn't in nearly as bad a shape as it seems. They need to be 8-7 or 7-8 after the next two weeks, though.

[Masterofreality]

Here's the remaining series for everyone in the Big East:

Creighton (8-1) - Xavier, at Seton Hall, at Butler
Xavier (6-3) - at Creighton, at St. John's, Georgetown
St. John's (4-2) - Seton Hall, at Georgetown, Xavier, Villanova
Seton Hall (5-4) - at St. John's, Creighton, at Villanova
Villanova (2-4) - Georgetown, at Butler, Seton Hall, at St. John's
Butler (2-7) - Villanova, at Georgetown, Creighton
Georgetown (0-6) - at Villanova, St. John's, Butler, at Xavier

We gotta beat St. John's. Period.

[GoMuskies]

We gotta beat St. John's. Period.

If we can win 4 or 5 combined from Georgetown and Creighton, I'd be perfectly fine with Xavier dropping 3 at St. John's and saving their two wins over the Johnnies for Omaha.

[Masterofreality]

If we can win 4 or 5 combined from Georgetown and Creighton, I'd be perfectly fine with Xavier dropping 3 at St. John's and saving their two wins over the Johnnies for Omaha.

I'm never fine with being swept in any series. I am fine with us winning 5 vs Creighton & GTown. I am also fine with us taking 2 from Johnnies in where "They don't Coast. "

[X-band '01]

Creighton has won ten straight - they're going to be very tough at home.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier gets #6 Kentucky tonight in Lexington. Brad Kirschner gets the nod for Xavier.

[GoMuskies]

Not surprisingly, Kentucky took care of Xavier 6-0 (though it was 1-0 at the seventh inning stretch). Creighton survived 4-3 in 10 against a terrible Wichita State team setting up this weekend's three game set. A series win would be very sweet.

[Muskie]

Not surprisingly, Kentucky took care of Xavier 6-0 (though it was 1-0 at the seventh inning stretch). Creighton survived 4-3 in 10 against a terrible Wichita State team setting up this weekend's three game set. A series win would be very sweet.

1-0 in the Top of the 7th. X had the bases loaded but flew out to end the inning. After that it was she wrote.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[X-band '01]

Of the 3 games played this weekend, Sunday's finale will be the one to show up on the Big East Digital Network.

Next week, they play at St. John's - they actually televise a number of their home games on ESPN3 for some reason.

[X-band '01]

It looks like Creighton's website will have a stream of tonight's and tomorrow night's games as well:

Live Video - GoCreighton.com (http://gocreighton.com/watch/?Live=134&type=Live)

Would be great if Zac Lowther can prove he is the cream of the Big East pitching crop tonight and lead Xavier to a series-opening win.

[X-band '01]

Xavier won the opener 2-1 thanks to a solo homer by Rylon Bannon in the 9th.

Judging by the forecast, it's conceivable that they might not get any games in tomorrow or Sunday b/c of steady rain in Omaha. Not sure if they'd try to make any games up on Monday or some other date if that happens.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier swept Creighton. Granted, turned out to only be a one game series.

[bobbiemcgee]

Xavier won the opener 2-1 thanks to a solo homer by Rylon Bannon in the 9th.

Judging by the forecast, it's conceivable that they might not get any games in tomorrow or Sunday b/c of steady rain in Omaha. Not sure if they'd try to make any games up on Monday or some other date if that happens.

That was a crazy storm going thru Denver. 7 inches of snow on my lawn yesterday. Today? Gone. Gorgeous.

[X-band '01]

Those 2 rainouts are not going to be made up. As it stands right now, Xavier is one game behind Creighton overall and tied with St. John's in the loss column. This is a bye week from Big East play, so there will be one midweek game at UC and 3 at Indiana.

[GoMuskies]

Indiana abused the Muskies this weekend. I think Xavier was just saving all their good stuff for UC and St. John's this week. Yeah, that's it.

[X-band '01]

Or a hangover from finals week.

Both X and the Johnnies are 1 1/2 games behind Creighton in the standings, so either team taking 2 of 3 may just determine who's the home team in a 2-3 game in the Big East tournament. If there's a sweep, whoever gets the 3 wins still has a shot at catching top-seeded Creighton.

[GoMuskies]

Xavier took an ass-kicking at the hands of St. John's today. 7-3, but it was actually 7-0 going to the 8th inning. Never close. That's 5 straight losses for the good guys (25-23, 7-4).

[X-band '01]

It was a pair of losses yesterday - in the 2nd game, they stranded the tying run on base in the 9th inning. They played 2 yesterday b/c of rain today, but Sunday's game should be able to be played.

In essence, it's now Creighton and St. John's who will be battling it out for the #1 and #2 seeds in the Big East tournament in 2 weeks. Assuming Seton Hall wins their last 2 games at Villanova, the best they'll do is 10-8, so 2 more wins for Xavier in Big East play should net them the #3 seed.

[Masterofreality]

Xavier stomps the BoreCats yesterday 7-1. Wins the season series 2-1.

That school in Clifton SucKS!!!!!

[muskienick]

Xavier stomps the BoreCats yesterday 7-1. Wins the season series 2-1.

That school in Clifton SucKS!!!!!

Doesn't beating a team that sUCks cause the victory to be less glorious? We now beat UC more often than not in many sports. Quite a change from the 70's and earlier!

[X-band '01]

UC is also a Top 100 RPI team, so taking 2 of 3 against them was a nice bonus for the season. It also ended a 7-game skid that took place against IU, UC and St. John's.

As for today, they begin a 3-game home series against Georgetown. One win will solidify the final spot in the Big East tournament. Even in the unlikely event Xavier gets swept, Butler would need to sweep Creighton at home if they want to advance to Omaha next week.

[X-band '01]

It would be funny if Georgetown's only baserunner today came as a result of a strike-three wild pitch.

Right now Lowther has 4 strikeouts against 10 batters faced. Xavier is up 3-0 in the bottom of the 3rd.

[GoMuskies]

Would love to get the win today to seal the trip to Omaha. Also, I want Xavier to get St. John's in the first game. So if the Johnnies are the #1 seed, I want X to be #4. If they're #2, I want X #3. I have to think our best shot is to beat St. John's with Lowther and put St. John's in the loser's bracket right away, and then hold them off with our #3 and #4 guys while they're throwing their #4 and #5 in the championship.

[X-band '01]

I wouldn't lose sleep if they faced Creighton in the opener. They have the Bluejays' number in postseason play, and Lowther already has a W under his belt against Creighton. He wasn't as effective in his outing against the Johnnies last weekend.

[X-band '01]

Rylan Bannon hit his 14th HR of the season to give Xavier a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the 4th. He's now 2 HRs away from tying Xavier's single-season record.

[X-band '01]

Xavier found a live chicken today - they're up 12-0 midway through 6. Hoyas still hitless.

[X-band '01]

No sooner do I say that than Georgetown finally gets on the board as soon as Xavier went to the bullpen.

Lowther threw 6 hitless innings on 85 pitches - clearly he's being saved for next week in Omaha.

[GoMuskies]

6 zip Xavier in the 4th. Looking good to clinch the series today.

[X-band '01]

Now 7-0 in the 5th. A win would lock up the #3 seed in the Big East tournament and likely put them against St. John's in the opener.

I'd imagine a lot of the regulars might get a breather tomorrow assuming Xavier holds on to win today.

[X-band '01]

2 wins and Xavier has outscored Georgetown 30-3 so far this weekend.

[GoMuskies]

Nipped them 13-1. I wouldn't be surprised if Butler beats Creighton and pushes St. John's into first place.

[X-band '01]

You called it - Butler beat Creighton 7-1 yesterday to knock the Jays down into 2nd place for now. Johnnies would clinch the #1 seed with a win over Villanova at home today.

[X-band '01]

Today's game is also being streamed on the Big East Digital Network:

Link - Fox Sports GO (https://www.foxsportsgo.com/event/205294/college-baseball-georgetown-at-xavier)

As for next week, all the games leading up to the championship game(s) on Sunday should also be on the BEDN. Sunday's game(s) will be on FS2.

[X-band '01]

Xavier wins 6-2 to complete the 3-game sweep on Senior Day.

They'll play St. John's in the tournament opener - the Johnnies lost to Villanova in their regular-season finale. Ouch. Creighton-Butler was cancelled; they had frequent lightning that also included a foul pole strike.

[GoMuskies]

3:30 on Thursday. Lowther better bring his bet stuff.

[bobbiemcgee]

2017 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Presented By Jeep - Omaha
Thursday, May 25 – First Round (BEDN)
Game 1: #2 St. John's vs. #3 Xavier, 2:30 pm (CT)
Game 2: #1 Creighton vs. #4 Seton Hall, 6:30 pm (CT)
Friday, May 26 – Second Round (BEDN)
Losers' bracket at 2:30 pm (CT) (Game 3)
Winners' bracket at 6:30 pm (CT) (Game 4)
Saturday, May 27 – Semifinal (BEDN)
Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser at 2:30 pm (CT) (Game 5)
Sunday, May 28 – Championship (FS2)
Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner at 12 pm (CT) ET
**an If-necessary game will be played at 3:30 pm (CT) should the Game 4 winner lose **

[GoMuskies]

Anybody from the area thinking of making the trip to Omaha? If Xavier lasts to Saturday, I'll probably take my son up there for the rest of the tournament (or at least Xavier's portion of it). Weather's supposed to be great, so nothing better than sitting in the sun with a beer in hand and watching a baseball game.

[GoMuskies]

Was reading this morning that the Big Ten has Omaha locked up for their tournament the next 5 years. That kinda sucks.

[GoMuskies]

As a reminder, the Muskies are just underway against St. John's in Omaha. The St. John's pitcher that Lowther and the Muskies face today is 8-0 with a 1.10 ERA. So....not bad. Xavier has runners on the corners and no one out after a bloop double and an infield single.

[GoMuskies]

2-0 Muskies after half an inning. If Lowther is on his game, that could be enough. He got roughed up a bit by the Johnnies a couple of weeks ago.

[GoMuskies]

Still 2-0 X after 2. Lowther pitched around a leadoff double in the second with 2 Ks and a bouncer to short. X continues to get good swings against the St. John's ace.

[GoMuskies]

2-0 X after 4. 65 pitchers for Lowther so far, so he's likely not going the distance. St. Jphn's ace has thrown 66, but Xavier is getting less good swings as the game goes on.

[GoMuskies]

Muskies tacked on. 3-0 half-way home.

[GoMuskies]

St. John's got a two out RBI single to get on the board. 3-1 after 5 full. 90 pitches for Lowther. He's probably only got one inning left in him. Also probalby need someone to throw the 7th inning as a bridge to the closer, Kent. So it's going to be an interesting last 12 outs. St. John's can rake.

[paulxu]

5-1, 8th.
Men on 2nd and 3rd, one out.

[GoMuskies]

So I wonder if we get greedy and try to get through the 8th without putting in Kent. One more hit here would make that a more comfortable option!

[GoMuskies]

Got our answer. Kent in to get 6 outs.

[paulxu]

Could have used those couple of runs. Those guys were there on 2nd and 3rd with no outs.

[GoMuskies]

2 runs for the Johnnies in the 8th. Fantastic throw by Xavier's rightfielder to hose a runner at third and limit the damage. Getting out of that inning up 5-3 felt like a win.

[GoMuskies]

Trying to blow it open in the 9th. Two in, runners at second and third and still no one out. 7-3 X.

[X-band '01]

Looks like I picked a nice time to finally get the game on after work. 1st Xavier out courtesy of the infield fly rule, but bases still loaded with a 7-3 lead.

[GoMuskies]

8-3. Johnnnies back to the pen. Bases still loaded with one out. Looks promising!

[X-band '01]

Make it 11-3. After a potential 400-ft grand slam just went foul, Ethan Schmidt cleared the bases with a 3-run double. Sweeeeet.

[X-band '01]

And now 12-3. Only 1 out and Xavier has blown it open with 7 runs in the 9th.

[paulxu]

Bating around is a nice sound.

[X-band '01]

Rylan Bannon added one final insurance run with an RBI double. That gives everyone in the lineup a hit today.

[X-band '01]

And now final after an unassisted double play to finish the game. I'd expect Garrett Schilling to get the start tomorrow - a win would give Xavier a bye into the championship game(s) on Sunday.

[GoMuskies]

X plays host Creighton tonight at 7:30 in what will likely be a somewhat hostile environment. Seton Hall leads SJU 2-1 in the 6th, and it would be nice to get the Johnnies out of the Tournament. Creighton is the #1 seed, but SJU is clearly the most dangerous team (other than Xavier!!!) in the Tournament.

[X-band '01]

Johnnies live to fight another day with a 3-2 win over Seton Hall. They play the loser of tonight's game tomorrow.

[X-band '01]

Creighton leading 2-1 in the 5th, but some heads-up baserunning allows Chris Givin to get to 2nd base on a walk.

And now Conor Grammes homers to put Xavier on top 3-2!

[X-band '01]

6-2 - still in the 5th inning. Creighton's starter responsible for all 6 as the Bluejays now forced to go to their pen.

[X-band '01]

6-3 after a Bluejay homer in the 6th inning. Schilling has only thrown about 70 pitches, so he should be able to go another inning (and beyond) if he gets back on track.

[X-band '01]

Leadoff double and a 2-out RBI single now puts Xavier up 4 again. Liking their chances of Sunday ball more and more.

[X-band '01]

This inning has gone to shit after Creighton loaded the bases with 3 defensive lapses by Xavier. An RBI on a fielder's choice and a 2-RBI single has suddenly made this a 1-run game.

Now Xavier goes to the bullpen with Creighton's hottest hitter (Amode) about to hit. He already has 2 HRs tonight.

[X-band '01]

1 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief from Trey Schramm will keep it at 7-6 Xavier going into the 9th.

[GoMuskies]

Go Muskies! Three more outs. Let's get some insurance!

[GoMuskies]

Woo hoo!

[X-band '01]

Wasn't easy, but Xavier closed the door in the 9th. Schramm gets the save and Xavier will play on Sunday for back-to-back Big East titles.

[GoMuskies]

Wasn't easy, but Xavier closed the door in the 9th. Schramm gets the save and Xavier will play on Sunday for back-to-back Big East titles.

And I'll be in the building, so it's basically a guaranteed win.

[X-band '01]

As for tomorrow, Creighton will play St. John's for the right to advance to the other half of the championship game. Greg Jacknewitz and Trent Astle would be the likely starters for Sunday's games (2nd one if needed).

[X-band '01]

And I'll be in the building, so it's basically a guaranteed win.

Bring us home a winner and find the Cracker Barrel off I-80 that has been a lucky charm for Xavier this weekend.

[paulxu]

And I'll be in the building, so it's basically a guaranteed win.

Wear something crazy and sit behind home plate. Plenty of seats. We'll be able to find you.

[GoMuskies]

Wear something crazy and sit behind home plate. Plenty of seats. We'll be able to find you.

Our tickets for tomorrow are in row 3 just on the third base side of home plate. Based on today, with Creighton out I expect about 100 people in the stands.

[paulxu]

We should see you on every pitch.

[GoMuskies]

We should see you on every pitch.

Lucky you guys! You'll probably miss me on a number of pitches while I'm seeing my good friend at the beer stand.

[X-band '01]

As for tomorrow, Creighton will play St. John's for the right to advance to the other half of the championship game. Greg Jacknewitz and Trent Astle would be the likely starters for Sunday's games (2nd one if needed).

Looks like Astle is getting the ball for the 1 PM game per Xavier's website.

[Masterofreality]

Our tickets for tomorrow are in row 3 just on the third base side of home plate. Based on today, with Creighton out I expect about 100 people in the stands.

National TV for GoMuskies.

Hope the network survives.

[GoMuskies]

This has been a fantastic game. X by one to the 8th. 6 outs away.

[GoMuskies]

Champions! 3rd time in 4 years.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Congrats to our baseball team. You really came through when it counts.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville and Kentucky will both be hosting, so the Muskies could certainly end up either place.

[paulxu]

Props to Go for steering the Muskies into the winner circle when they were down 3.

Great win.

[xeus]

If you have the means, send a check to AFO this week and write BASEBALL in the memo line. Even a small check. What a fantastic tourney run by the boys. And hats off to Coach Googins and his staff!

[X-band '01]

Congrats to the baseball team - they're the 3rd team (besides UConn and Seton Hall) to win 3 Big East tournament titles. St. John's (8) and Notre Dame (5) are 1-2, respectively.

I'd reckon the Big East will also get St. John's into the NCAA Tournament as well.

[GoMuskies]

D1 baseball has Xavier as the 4 seed opposite Long Beach State. Baseball America has Xavier as a 3 seed at Wake Forest. Neither are national seeds, so that would be nice. If Xavier gets a 3 seed it would be their best seed ever in the Tournament.

Find out at noon.

[THRILLHOUSE]

3 seed in Louisville, facing Oklahoma in the first game (Friday 2 PM EST)

Full Bracket - http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/baseball/d1/2017

[bobbiemcgee]

Congrats! Another great finish! LetsgoX! Jim Bunning smiling down on 'ya.

[X-band '01]

D1 baseball has Xavier as the 4 seed opposite Long Beach State. Baseball America has Xavier as a 3 seed at Wake Forest. Neither are national seeds, so that would be nice. If Xavier gets a 3 seed it would be their best seed ever in the Tournament.

Find out at noon.

They were also a 3 when they played in Rice's regional back in their A-10 days. They lost to K-State, beat Sam Houston State and lost to Rice that season.

Here is Xavier's record against other tournament teams:
Louisville* (1) - 0-1
Kentucky (1) - 0-1
Southern Miss (1) - 1-2
Indiana (2) - 0-3
St. John's (3) - 2-3

[GoMuskies]

Zac Lowther is now #101 on Baseball America's top 200 draft list. So he's looking like a third/fourth rounder at this point. He should make some pretty good cash this summer. No one else from Xavier is on that list, but I'd guess Bannon (Big East player of the year) will get drafted at some point. Joe Gellenback was preseason Big East POY and had a decent year, so someone probably takes a later round flyer on him. I'd think Garrett Schilling will probably be selected somewhere along the way, too.

[Xville]

Can't believe no one has posted this...Xavier has advanced to the regional final by destroying Oklahoma today 11-0. They play Louisville tonight at 7est. Going to be a tough task, especially with needing to win two against Louisville, but stranger things have happened.

[X-band '01]

This is where it was posted,
Xville (http://www.xavierhoops.com/showthread.php?32069-Game-Thread-BASE-Xavier-v-Oklahoma-(June-2-2017)-at-2-p-m)

[Xville]

This is where it was posted,
Xville (http://www.xavierhoops.com/showthread.php?32069-Game-Thread-BASE-Xavier-v-Oklahoma-(June-2-2017)-at-2-p-m)

And I'm an idoit.....thanks!