Saint Xavier Moves Into Driver's Seat At Baseball Tournament
JOLIET, Ill. --- No. 3-seeded Saint Xavier University outlasted top seed Judson University in 12 innings to remain as the only undefeated team left in the 2025 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament following play on Day 3 on Friday.
The two teams will square off again Saturday at 4 pm after Judson (30-22) won its elimination game later in the day to oust No. 5 Olivet Nazarene University, which knocked out No. 2 St. Ambrose University earlier in the day.
A win by Saint Xavier (30-22) on Saturday will advance the Cougars to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, while a loss will force a second championship game with the Eagles at 7 pm.
Saturday's winner moves on to the Opening Round May 12-15.
Recapping Friday:
Saint Xavier 7, Judson 6 --- 12 Innings
Saint Xavier led 5-2 after five innings only to have Judson tie the contest with a three-run sixth inning. The score remained deadlocked at 5-5 until the 11th inning when both teams scored once before the Cougars won it on a walk-off wild pitch in the 12th frame. Shea Zbrozek and John Simecek each drove in a pair of runs without the aid of a hit for the winners. Austin Stone went 3-for-5 with two RBIs for Judson. Trent Markezich (4-1) claimed the win on the mound with his three relief innings.
Olivet Nazarene 11, St. Ambrose 4
A five-run first inning eventually led to an 8-0 lead after three for Olivet Nazarene. St. Ambrose cut the deficit in half in the fourth inning only to be shutout the rest of the way. Evan Pogioli (3-for-5) and Vince Martinez (2-for-5) each had three RBIs for the winners with Aden Aukland and Taylor Bledsoe (3-for-4) driving in two more each. Caden Thode had two RBIs for St. Ambrose. Luke Shoven (3-4) went the distance on the mound for the win.
Judson 8, No. 5 seed Olivet Nazarene 4
Following ties at two and three runs early, Judson took control with a three-run fifth inning followed by a two-run sixth. The top of the order got things done for the Eagles in the form of Nate Stempowski (2-for-5, 1 RBI), Blake Stempowski (2-for-5, 1 RBI), Hudson Deal (3-for-5) and Kevin Flores (3 RBIs). Alex Seaton and Aden Aukland each had two hits and two runs batted in for Olivet Nazarene. Owen Wanner (3-4) went the first seven innings for Judson to collect the victory on the mound.
The updated results and schedule follow:
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Game #1: No. 5 seed Olivet Nazarene 8, No. 4 seed Viterbo 3
Game #2: No. 3 seed Saint Xavier 9, No. 6 seed Indiana South Bend 1
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Game #3: No. 1 seed Judson 7, No. 5 seed Olivet Nazarene 5
Game #4: No. 3 seed Saint Xavier 12, No. 2 seed St. Ambrose 1
Game #5: No. 5 seed Olivet Nazarene 4, No. 6 seed Indiana South Bend 3
Game #6: No. 2 seed St. Ambrose 8, No. 4 seed Viterbo 2
Friday, May 2, 2025
Game #7: No. 3 seed Saint Xavier 7, No. 1 seed Judson 6 --- 12 Innings
Game #8: No. 5 seed Olivet Nazarene 11, No. 2 seed St. Ambrose 4
Game #9: No. 1 seed Judson 8, No. 5 seed Olivet Nazarene 4
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Game #10: No. 3 seed Saint Xavier (30-22) vs. No. 1 seed Judson (30-22) --- 4 pm (Championship)
Game #11: Winner-Game #10 vs. Loser-Game #10 --- 7 pm (If necessary)