XULA defeats Loyola 4-2 in final game of series

WESTWEGO, La. — Freshmen Juwan Fitch and Ryan Kinney combined on a six-hitter with eight strikeouts Sunday, and a two-out infield error in the sixth inning put Xavier University of Louisiana ahead to stay in a 4-2 victory against city rival Loyola in the finale of a three-game series at Segnette Field.

Next for XULA (5-3) will be a three-game home series against Tougaloo at Wesley Barrow Stadium — first game at 1 p.m. Friday, then a 1 p.m. Saturday doubleheader.

Fitch, a left-hander, won for the second time in as many starts in XULA’s first baseball season since 1960. Kinney relieved Fitch after a leadoff walk in the seventh and earned the save.

XULA took a 3-2 lead in the sixth when third baseman Allen Dennis failed to catch Co Co Simoneaux’s bases-loaded, two-out infield popup; that allowed Blair Frederick and Dillon Cousin to score.

Jose Fulgencio scored XULA’s final run in the seventh after he singled, stole second base and came home on Danny Coleman’s single.

XULA led first when Simoneaux’s two-out single to right center in the second inning scored Jonathan Santos, who singled and advanced on a passed ball.

Aaron Davis and Tucker Ganley drove in runs for Loyola (10-8).

XULA had 10 hits, two apiece by Coleman, Cousin and Fulgencio. Courtland Posey went 1-for-4 to finish with a team-leading six hits in the series.