WESTWEGO, La. — Freshmen
Juwan Fitch and
Ryan Kinney
combined on a six-hitter with eight strikeouts Sunday, and a two-out infield error in the sixth inning put
Xavier University of Louisiana ahead to stay in a 4-2 victory against city rival Loyola in the finale
of a three-game series at Segnette Field.
Next for XULA (5-3) will be a three-game
home series against Tougaloo at Wesley Barrow Stadium — first game at 1 p.m. Friday,
then a 1 p.m. Saturday doubleheader.
Fitch, a left-hander, won for the second
time in as many starts in XULA's first baseball season since 1960. Kinney relieved
Fitch after a leadoff walk in the seventh and earned the save.
XULA took a 3-2 lead in the sixth
when third baseman Allen Dennis failed to catch
Co Co Simoneaux's bases-loaded, two-out infield popup;
that allowed
Blair Frederick and
Dillon Cousin to score.
Jose Fulgencio scored XULA's final
run in the seventh after he singled, stole second base and came home on
Danny Coleman's
single.
XULA led first when
Simoneaux's two-out single to right center in the second inning scored
Jonathan Santos,
who singled and advanced on a passed ball.
Aaron Davis and Tucker Ganley drove in runs for Loyola (10-8).
XULA had 10 hits, two apiece by Coleman, Cousin
and Fulgencio.
Courtland Posey went 1-for-4 to finish with a team-leading six hits in the series.