Walk-Off Single By Rizzie Gives No. 1 Xavier 9-8 Game 1 Win Over St. John’s
Box Score
ABERDEEN, Md. – After three hours and 35 minutes, the late-game heroics of catcher Daniel Rizzie sent the top-seeded Musketeers to Friday’s winners’ bracket with a two-out single in the ninth inning as Xavier defeated No. 4 St. John’s 9-8 Thursday evening in the first game of the BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
The game featured three tie scores and seven lead changes. The final change came in the ninth inning as Rizzie, a unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection, singled to the left side scoring junior outfielder Matt Fallon. After two strikeouts to open the frame, Fallon jump-started a rally with a two-out walk. Leadoff batter Rylan Bannon came up next and sent a ground-rule double down the left field line, forcing Fallon to hold up at third. Rizzie followed with his game-winning single.
Xavier will play in the winners’ bracket game at 7 p.m. on Friday. Their opponent will be the winner of the Seton Hall/Creighton nightcap on Thursday night. St. John’s will play in the first elimination game at 3:30 p.m. against the loser of Seton Hall/Creighton.
St. John’s led after the fifth and seventh innings. Xavier led after the second, fourth and sixth.
BIG EAST Player of the Year Andre Jernigan went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI to lead Xavier (28-28). Rizzie finished 2-for-5 with the game-winning RBI and David Morton went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Closer Garrett Schilling got the win for Xavier.
For St. John’s (27-25-1) John Valente was 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, and Alex Caruso went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI for St. John’s. BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Josh Shaw finished 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI, while Robbie Knightes was 2-for-5 with two runs scored. BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year Thomas Hackimer (7-2) was saddled with the loss after surrendering two runs in 2.2 innings of work.