LOUISVILLE, KY. — With Xavier throwing a left-hander Friday, Oklahoma coach Pete Hughes opted to install Domenic DeRenzo in the lineup for left-handed hitter Ben Hollas.
It turned out to be a wise move as the sophomore made the play of the game, according to his coach.
Still trailing 2-0, DeRenzo tripled with one out in the seventh. Kyle Mendenhall followed with nine-pitch at bat off Xavier starter Zac Lowther. Lowther got the second baseman swinging on strikes, but his catcher dropped the ball. As Mendenhall ran to first, DeRenzo took a couple steps toward home.