Xavier’s starting pitcher Brant Alazaus was on a roll. He retired 12 straight batters, was up 4-3 in the seventh, and had one out. Then Oregon’s Rikuu Nishida hit a fly ball over the head of left fielder Andrew Walker to be in scoring position.
Alazaus had 105 pitches under his belt and Musketeer coach Billy O’Connor felt that was enough and went to his bullpen. That decision might have cost Xavier as Colby Shade and Drew Cowley also doubled to give the Ducks the 5-4 lead.
Fortunately, Oregon’s bullpen came through whereas Xavier’s didn’t. The Ducks won by that score and will now play either Vanderbilt or Eastern Illinois on Saturday at 3 pm PST.