NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Xavier baseball fell to No. 24 Oregon, 11-2, on Sunday night in the NCAA Nashville Regional Final.
The Musketeers ended the season with a 39-25 record, matching the program record for wins in a season (the 2009 team went 39-21). Xavier moves to 8-10 all-time in NCAA Tournament games. The Musketeers have now competed in three NCAA Regional Finals.
The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Sabin Ceballos, the first hit of the game for Oregon. The Ducks added three runs on one hit and one error in the next inning, taking 4-0 advantage over the Musketeers.
Jared Cushing hit a two-out, RBI double down the left field line in the sixth inning - cutting Xavier's deficit to three runs (4-1). Oregon broke open the game in the sixth inning, scoring six runs on three hits - taking a 10-1 advantage.
Matt McCormick hit a solo home run to right field in the top of the eighth inning to make it an eight-run game (10-2). Oregon added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly by Ceballos, making the final ledger, 11-2.
Xavier recorded two more hits (9-7) than the Ducks and left four more runners on base (11-7). Oregon committed one more error (2-1) than the Musketeers.
- Nick Boyle made his fifth start of the season, walking three batters and not allowing a hit in one inning of scoreless work.
- Luke Bell (1-4) took the loss on the mound, surrendering four runs and two hits in 3.2 innings of work. The RHP also threw five strikeouts, his fourth game of the season with five or more strikeouts.
- Clay Schwaner allowed five runs and two hits in one inning of relief. He walked two batters and threw one strikeout.
- Jonathan Kelly pitched 1.1 innings of relief, surrendering two hits and one run, while throwing one strikeout. The RHP recorded his 32nd appearance of the season, matching the single-season school record.
- Jack Niedringhaus completed 0.2 innings of relief, allowing one hit and one run. The LHP walked two batters.
- Connor Bailey recorded the final out in the bottom of the eighth inning, a strikeout to Tyler Ganus.
- Xavier's pitching staff combined to walk 10 batters, tied for the second most walks in a game this season.
- Garrett Schultz went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. The outfield finished the NCAA Nashville Regional going 8-for-14 at the plate with two doubles, three RBI and a run.
- Jared Cushing went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, finishing the year with 18 multi-hit games.
- Jack Housinger went 1-for-5 with a double. He went 14-for-32 at the plate in his final eight games of the season with 13 runs, five RBI and four extra-base hits.
- Andrew Walker went 1-for-5, collecting a hit on his final at-bat in a Xavier uniform.
- Matt McCormick went 1-for-4 with a home run. He finished the year with 14 home runs, tied for the most on the team with Jared Cushing and Matthew DePrey.
- Carter Hendrickson added a hit, finishing the day 1-for-2 at the plate.