Dateline: Cincinnati
Junior Ryan Piech pitched the Xavier Musketeers to a 5-1 win over the University of Connecticut Huskies in the first round of the Big East Tournament Baseball Tournament at Prasco Park on Thursday (052126). Xavier is set to face the St. John's University Red Storm in the second round.
A major league prospect out of Walsh Jesuit High School and Aurora, Ohio, the right handed ace, Piech, stifled the Huskies over ei8 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks and struck out nine. He improved to 8-3 on the season.
The Musketeers, Red Storm and Huskies were co champions in the regular season, all with 15-6 conference records.
UConn took most of the Big East honors with first baseman, Jackson Marshall earning Player of the Year, Cayden Suchy Pitcher of the Year and Cam Righi Freshman of the Year.
The Huskies managed one run off Piech. Peyton Jemison singled with two outs and Gabriel Tirado doubled off the right field stands to tie the score at 1-1.
"He (Piech) was awesome. He is talented as all get out," Xavier head coach Billy O'Connor said. "He competed like crazy. He's had an unbelievable year. He carried us. He's over come an injury early in his career. He's such a great kid. He just keeps getting better. I'm happy he's being rewarded for all the hard work he put in."
Xavier had taken the lead in the fourth off starter Charlie West. Leadoff batter, Jorge Valdes singled, moved to second when Clay Burdette grounded out and scored on a two-out single by Jonathan Fitz.
West pitched 6 2/3 innings against the Musketeers in a 3-1 win on March 23. The left hander led the Big East in strikeouts and did not allow more than four runs in conference play all year.
"I thought we were really good offensively after the first time through," O'Connor said. "We were kind of feeling our way out a little bit; three up three down, three straight times. We didn't tear the cover off the ball. Quite honestly, they probably harder than we did but we were fundamentally sound."
Xavier broke through with four runs in the sixth inning against the left hander.
Valdes singled and Burdette doubled him to third. Josh Stonehouse hit a fly ball to very shallow right field. Nater Wachter made a diving catch and Valdes took a risk and dashed home with the go ahead run. Fitz walked. Luke Hammond singled to score Burdette. Fitz and Hammond scored on wild pitches.
"There was a lot going on there. Clay (Burdette) was running too early but Jorge stayed there. Stonehouse has had an unbelievable freshman year. For him to go left, left and put the ball in play, was impressive."
The third base coach, Riley Bertram was sending Valdes from the time the ball went air born.
"I was going to try. He made a diving catch. I watched him hit the ground and just started running. It would have been different if he was on the run. When I saw him hit the ground with me being an outfielder, I understand how hard it is to make a good throw, even at such a short distance," Valdes said. "It was reflex if that makes sense."
Piech with an extra day of rest from the rainout on Wednesday made the runs stand up. Only Marshall could do any damage to him with two doubles. With a full week of rest, he was able to be effective over 117 pitches, 74 strikes.
"We needed to get in done in game one to set us up to win the tournament. That's what it is all about," Piech said. "I really focused on getting ahead today. When I didn't get ahead, they put good swings on the baseball. For the most part I was able to get ahead and get to my secondary offerings to put them away."
Garrett Helsel, however finished the game, getting Marshall on a ground out after Piech walked the last batter he faced. Helsel struck out two of the four batters he faced to send the Musketeers to the meeting with the Red Storm on Friday.
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