CINCINNATI – A solid start by Brad Kirschner and a three-run bomb by Rylan Bannon helped lead Xavier baseball to a 9-1 win over crosstown rival Cincinnati on Tuesday at Marge Schott Stadium.
Bannon's shot – his second in as many games – was a towering, opposite field blast in the sixth. He continues to lead the team and the BIG EAST with 10 homers on the season.
The win advances XU (21-16) to the title game of the Joe Nuxhall Classic for the first time since the inaugural event in 2009, which the Musketeers won over Wright State.