Xavier baseball kicked off a three-game series against Villanova with a decisive 8-4 victory on Friday at Hayden Field. After falling behind 1-0, the Musketeers quickly regained control with a two-run inning, highlighted by Josh Stonehouse's two-run homer. With this win, Xavier improved to 14-21 overall and 4-3 in the BIG EAST, while Villanova fell to 11-18 and remains winless in conference play. Key performances included Stonehouse's three RBIs and Clay Burdette's combined contributions of a home run and two runs scored. Ryan Piech earned the win with a strong pitching performance, allowing just one run over six innings.

By the Numbers
  • Xavier had 14 hits compared to Villanova's 6.
  • Josh Stonehouse recorded 3 RBIs and scored 2 runs, hitting his 11th home run.
  • Ryan Piech struck out 7 batters and improved his record to 5-3.
What's Next

The teams will continue their series on Saturday with the second game set for 2:00 p.m. on XAVIER+. Xavier aims to secure a series win while Villanova seeks to bounce back and earn their first conference victory.

Bottom Line

Xavier's powerhouse hitting and strong pitching were pivotal in this victory, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opportunities. To achieve consistent success in the series, they must maintain this momentum and improve their defensive play to minimize scoring threats from Villanova.