Everyone is welcome to join in, and I have no idea who we are starting today...

0-0 after one inning. The surprise starter is Leo Ulemen, who was a big recruit years ago, and sat out most of the last year and a half due to injuries. He gave up a double to the lead off hitter, who got to third on a wild pitch. Then...the throw from the outfield on a caught fly was overthrown to the backstop, and that was an invitation for the runner to take home. But Ulemen got to the ball in time and fired it to Brayden Jaksa, who made the tag at home for the out!

He also had a strikeout on the final batter to get him through a nervous first inning unscathed. Good for him!

1-0 Ducks after two innings. Leo Uelmen has a nasty inside curve, and a deceptive changeup to compliment his fast ball. The highlight of the inning was a great low catch by Maddox Molony, and then he scrambles on the turf to get to second base to put that runner out. Double Play!

Gabe Miranda got a hit through the RF shift against him, and Drew Smith was plinked. Then comes our new DH for this game RSFr. Naulivou Lauaki, another big-guy on the team at 6'5" 265 pounds...who nails one through the LF/CF gap to score Miranda. Oregon stranded two on base...

1-1 after three innings. Leo Uelmen looked much better than we had seen in the past, but with two outs and runners on the corners...Oregon decided to bring in Michael Meckna. Breaking in Ulemen gradually is a good idea, and he looks like another piece to build in the bullpen.

Meckna gave up a hit to allow Xavier their first run, but with a huge moment with bases loaded...got the strikeout!

1-1 after four innings. Michael Meckna gave up a hit, who then took second...who was then picked-off on a wonderful example of teamwork between Meckna and Ryan Cooney. He kept them scoreless, and is emerging as a reliable option in the Oregon bullpen.

The Musketeer pitching is much better this game, and kept us handcuffed.

1-1 after five innings. Highly regarded true freshman Oregon pitcher Josh Hollis takes over, and while he has taken some lumps in the earlier games--those forge the experience needed for continued innings to build his confidence. He kept Xavier scoreless as the fielding made some great plays to assist him.

1-1 after six innings, and Josh Hollis looked good putting them down 1-2-3.

We finally got the opposing starting pitcher out, but their reliever is no help for the Good-Guys as we got nothing.

6-1 Ducks after seven innings. It was getting to "nervous" time! Josh Hollis had four straight strikeouts to bring it to two outs, but then Ryan Featherston was called from the bullpen to strike the batter out!

Coach Waz made an interesting move to pull catcher Brayden Jaksa

and put veteran catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus in to bat...and he hits a

line-drive over the RF wall!

Josh Schleichardt got plinked, and Elijah Cook took over at first as a pinch-runner. Ryan Cooney singles into short RF, and Cook flies to third. Jax Gimenez then walks to load the bases....with Dominic Hellman coming up? He did not disappoint as he smashed the first pitch of a new reliever to the wall to give him a double, and clear the other bases for three runs scored!

Gabe Miranda's bat is sure waking up lately, as he hit a double off the RF wall to score Hellman! That was such a beautiful swing...

6-3 Ducks after eight innings. Ryan Featherston was doing well...until he gave up a two-run Homer over RF.

Three more outs!

Oregon wins 6-3, as Miles Gosztola comes in for one batter, walks him, and pitching coach Matt Flores doesn't like what he sees and replaces him with transfer Devin Bell, who has two saves. Bell was throwing at 95 and 96 mph, and generated a double play, but with two outs Bell gives up two hits.

So Xavier has two runners in scoring position and with two outs....Bell strikes the batter out. Whew!

Two close for comfort! Getting these young kids some game time experience during the mid week games will get them prepared for the stretch drive later on.

Bring on the Hoosiers!

34 minutes ago, sports fan said:

Two close for comfort! Getting these young kids some game time experience during the mid week games will get them prepared for the stretch drive later on.

Bring on the Hoosiers!

I completely agree, as we actually had a perfect result. We gave young pitchers who are trying to acquire their confidence, some valuable game experience,, and yet we still won the game.