MASON, Ohio – The bats of top-seeded St. John’s caught fire Sunday afternoon at Prasco Park in the first semifinal game of the 2026 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Presented by Jeep. The Red Storm smashed three home runs, en route to a 17-6 win over No. 3 seed Xavier.
 
St. John’s advances to the championship game on Sunday, at a time to be determined, against the team that wins Saturday night’s 6 p.m. ET elimination game between No. 3 seed Xavier and No. 4 seed Creighton
 
First baseman Shaun McMillan got things rolling in the bottom of the first with a solo home run to left field, the Red Storm’s first homer of the tournament.
 
Xavier then took the lead in the top of the third inning, when catcher Jonathan Fitz grounded out for an RBI, as shortstop Donavan Canterberry ran home to even the tally at 1-1. Third baseman Luke Hammond then singled through the left side to send center fielder Jorge Valdes home, before first baseman Tommy Townsend collected an RBI single to center field, scoring left fielder Josh Stonehouse for a 3-1 lead.
 
St. John’s quickly took the lead back with a five-run third inning, followed by a six-run fourth inning, surging ahead 12-3.
 
Designated hitter Will Cowan heated up in the bottom of the third, scoring a three-run homer, followed by a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fourth. The sophomore followed it up in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run dinger. Overall, he capped the days with three hits, two runs scored, seven RBI and two home runs.
 
Following closely behind, third baseman Jayder Raifstinger batted 3-for-4 with two runs scored and five RBI.
 
Overall, the Red Storm broke a program-record for runs in a tournament game, previously set against Providence with 15 runs scored in 1986.
 
2026 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Schedule
Thursday, May 21 (ESPN+)
Game 1: No. 1 seed St. John’s 4, No. 4 seed Creighton 2
Game 2: No. 3 seed Xavier 5, No. 2 UConn 1
Game 3: No. 4 seed Creighton 7, No. 2 seed UConn 4 (Elimination Game)

Saturday, May 23 (ESPN+)
Game 4: No. 1 seed St. John's 17, No. 3 seed Xavier 6
Game 5: No. 3 seed Xavier vs. No. 4 seed Creighton – 6 p.m. ET(Elimination Game)

Sunday, May 24 (ESPN+)
Game 6: No. 1 seed St. John’s vs. Game 5 winner - TBD
Game 7 No. 1 seed St. John’s vs. Game 5 winner (If Necessary): TBD