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Xavier Advances in Extra Innings

MASON, Ohio – A game that began Wednesday night and finished Thursday afternoon due to a pause in the action due to inclement weather, No. 4 seed Xavier walked away with a 3-2 victory over top-seeded UConn in the opening round of the 2024 BIG EAST Championship Presented by Jeep.
 
The Musketeers are the first four-seed to advance out of the first round since realignment, after Jared Cushing crushed a home run in the top of the 11th that Xavier would not look back on.
 
After a trio of scoreless innings, it was the Musketeers who struck first in the top of the fourth when Carter Hendrickson singled down the left field line to send Isaac Wachsmann home for the first score of the game. The Musketeers quickly doubled their lead with a fly out to right field, sending Cushing home for a 2-0 lead.
 
UConn later tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, moments before a weather delay, when Tyler Minick homered to right center with Maddix Dalena also rounding the bases.
 
Following the homerun, play was paused at 8:18 p.m. ET due to lightning entering the area, eventually resulting in a suspension of play until a 1 p.m. resumption Thursday afternoon.
 
Both defenses returned Thursday with their best efforts with five scoreless innings. UConn nearly pulled away in the bottom of the ninth, however Luke Broadhurst blast to right field just clipped off the top of the wall resulting in a triple.
 
Jumping in as relief against one out and a runner on first and third following an intentional walk, left-handed pitcher Nolan Hughes struck out back to back hitters to get Xavier our of the jam.
 
In the top of the 11th, Cushing gave the Musketeers a lead they would not relinquish with a home run to deep left field in a 3-2 victory.
 
The Huskies are right back on the field Thursday afternoon at night at 4 p.m. ET in an elimination game against Georgetown.
 
The Musketeers are scheduled to take on St. John’s in the first semifinal contest at 7:30 p.m.
 
All games will stream live on the BIG EAST Digital Network available on FloSports Presented by Invesco QQQ.