DeKALB – Junior pitcher Jacob Wilde’s solid start was spoiled thanks to a six-run sixth inning by Xavier University, who downed NIU baseball 9-4 in game two of a three-game weekend series. 

Xavier (15-12, 0-0 Big East) secured a series win over NIU (5-20, 2-7 MAC), who have now lost three straight games. 

In his last start against Ohio last Sunday, Wilde allowed nine runs on 10 hits in just 2.2 innings of work. He bounced back with a better start Saturday, allowing only a first-inning two-run home run off the bat of senior outfielder and first baseman Tyler DeMartino over the first five innings. 

Xavier put a stop to Wilde’s comeback story in the sixth inning. Senior outfielder Garrett Schultz took Wilde deep for a three-run bomb to give Xavier a 5-3 lead. 

After two more runners reached, Wilde was pulled in favor of redshirt junior pitcher Reagan Klawiter. Klawiter allowed a two-RBI (runs batted in) double off the bat of junior catcher Matthew DePrey to give Xavier a 7-3 lead. The runs scored on DePrey’s double runs were charged to Wilde, whose book closed with seven runs allowed on 10 hits. 

Klawiter allowed one more run in the sixth inning to complete the offensive explosion and 8-3 led for Xavier. 

Senior outfielder Malik Peters and junior infielder Aaron Harper led the way for the Huskies at the plate. Peters’ second home run of the season and an RBI double from junior infielder Aaron Harper contributed to a three-run third inning. Peters was responsible for the Huskies’ fourth run – an RBI double in the seventh inning. 

Junior outfielder and catcher Colin Summerhill recorded an RBI in the third inning on a sacrifice fly. 

Junior infielders Andre Demetral and Eric Erato also recorded hits for the Huskies. 

After entering in the seventh inning, Xavier senior infielder and pitcher Jonathan Kelly held the Huskies hitless.

DeMartino got Xavier off to a 2-0 lead on his second home run of the weekend in the first inning. The Huskies responded with the three-run third inning to take a 3-2 lead. 

Xavier took an 8-3 lead back thanks to its six-run sixth inning, highlighted by Schultz’s three-run homer. 

Peters got a run back on his RBI double in the seventh, but a wild pitch by senior pitcher Nick Bonk in the eighth inning restored Xavier’s five-run lead. 

Kelly shut down the Huskies in the final two innings to give Xavier the win in game two of the weekend series, 9-4. 

NIU will look to avoid the series sweep in the series finale with Xavier at noon Sunday in Cincinnati. Live stats will be available via SideArm Stats.