Jack Housinger homered and knocked in three runs as Xavier rapped out 10 hits and beat UConn, 10-2, on day two of the Big East tournament in Mason, Ohio on Thursday.
The Huskies (41-14) move into the losers bracket and will have to win three games in two days to repeat as champions. UConn plays Georgetown Friday in an elimination game for both, while Xavier will have an off day.
UConn rallies to beat Georgetown in Big East Tournament opener, 5-4
UConn beat Xavier two of three during the regular season, and edged the Musketeers by half a game to win the regular season conference title.
Paul Tammaro homered for the second day in a row for UConn, Luke Broadhurst had three hits and David Smith knocked in the other run.
UConn defeated Georgetown on Wednesday. Georgetown eliminated Seton Hall earlier on Thursday. The Huskies are in good position to get an at-large NCAA bid, but now face an uphill battle to get the Big East’s automatic bid.
