Seton Hall University
Xavier
Baseballl is Eliminated as Xavier Rallies, 5-3
5/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 24, 2014
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Seton Hall baseball team carried a 3-0 lead into the sixth inning, but Xavier rallied with five unanswered runs to eliminate the Pirates from the 2014 BIG EAST Tournament with a 5-3 victory.
The loss likely ends the season for Seton Hall with a final overall record of 39-15, its most wins since 2000.
Seton Hall pushed a run across in the bottom of the first inning. Derek Jenkins (Annandale, N.J.) beat out a throw for an infield single, and advanced to second on a walk by Kyle Grimm (Bergenfield, N.J.). Jenkins then stole third and came in to score the game's first run on an RBI ground out by Sal Annunziata (Bronx, N.Y.).
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Seton Hall expanded its lead. Dillon Hamlin (Colts Neck, N.J.) led off with a single, and was sacrificed to second by Chris Chiaradio (Teaneck, N.J.). Jenkins then reached on a fielding error by Xavier shortstop Andre Jernigan. Zack Weigel (Oak Park, Ill.) followed with a bases clearing, two-RBI triple into the right-center field gap to extend the Pirates' lead to 3-0.
Pacillo gave a run back in the top of the sixth inning. Xavier led off the inning with a pair of infield singles and a sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position. Pacillo induced a fly ball to shallow center field, but Jenkins' throw came in well wide, Jernigan broke for the plate, and was safe on the throwing error.
In the seventh, Xavier loaded the bases with one out, which chased Pacillo. Freshman Ryan Testani (Shelton, Conn.) entered and hit Jernigan with his second pitch to force in the Musketeers' second run. The game was tied on a fielder's choice, hit by Stephen Schoettmer, but no out was recorded as Jernigan was able to beat the throw to second. Bo Slemens followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to give Xavier a 4-3 lead and an RBI single by Mitch Elliott plated an important insurance run for the Musketeers, 5-3.
Pacillo took the loss to fall to 4-2. The left-hander gave up three earned runs over 6.1 innings.
Weigel led the offense, reaching base three times. He went 2-for-3 with a walk, a triple and two RBIs.
The Pirates received relatively reliable pitching all week long, but their offense went quiet over the last couple weeks of the season. Seton Hall finished the regular season with the BIG EAST's highest team batting average, but hit only .187 over its final seven games.
On Monday, 64 teams will be selected to participate in the NCAA Tournament, but the Pirates aren't expected to have their name called, despite their impressive 39 win season.
Creighton and Xavier will meet on Sunday for the 2014 BIG EAST Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA field.
