ABERDEEN, Md. – After three hours and 35 minutes, the late-game heroics of catcher Daniel Rizzie sent the top-seeded Musketeers to Friday’s winners’ bracket with a two-out single in the ninth inning as Xavier defeated No. 4 St. John’s 9-8 Thursday evening in the first game of the BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
The game featured three tie scores and seven lead changes. The final change came in the ninth inning as Rizzie, a unanimous first team selection, singled to the left side scoring junior outfielder Matt Fallon. After two strikeouts to open the frame, Fallon jump-started a rally with a two out walk.