Xavier took advantage of 11 walks and six hits to fashion a 9-5 win over Linn-Mar on Monday night at Xavier in the first round of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament.

The game was tied, 5-5, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.

But five walks, a hit batsman and Alex Ries' RBI single pushed across four Xavier runs and the Saints went on to victory.

Xavier opened the scoring in the bottom of the first.  The Saints manufactured two runs with a walk, a hit batsman, an infield single, and an error. Linn-Mar came back in the top of the third with two runs of their own on an RBI double by Ben Larison and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Stroschein.

Xavier added three runs in the bottom of the third. Corbin Woods had an RBI double and Alex Ries a run-scoring single.

Linn-Mar scored a run in the fifth when Larison delivered a sacrifice fly, and Corey Prokop's two-run single in the top of the sixth tied the game, 5-5.

Saints starting pitcher Ean McNeal went 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on two hits.  He struck out six and walked three.

Mack Mattke relieved McNeal and finished it out for the win.  Mattke blanked the Lions and gave up two hits.

Mattke has made the transition from catching to pitching.

“I just have to concentrate on keeping my weight back and really use my hips,” explained Mattke.  “It is kind of tough to change your arm slot like that, but I will do whatever coach wants me to do.”

Ries and Mattke each collected two hits.

“I am glad we came out swinging for this first game of the year,” said Ries.  “We need to concentrate on fundamentals, and just get the job done.”

Michael Redmond led Linn-Mar with two hits.  Larison and Prokop each knocked in two runs.  Jake Stolley started on the mound for the Lions and went 2 1/3 innings. Nate Greve took the loss in relief, pitching 3 1/3 innings.

Linn-Mar will play Marion Tuesday night at 5 at Xavier and Xavier will host Washington at 7.

LINN-MAR (5)
Nate Greve, dh, 3 1 0 0, Blackford, 1b, 0 0 0 0, Ben Larison, ss, 3 0 1 2, Michael Redmond, cf, 3 0 2 1, Jordan Stroschein, rf, 2 0 0 0, Jeremy Danover, c, 3 0 0 0, Travis Kvach, cr, 0 1 0 0, Kevin Bogert, lf, 2 0 0 0, Mitch Stickney, ph, 0 1 0 0, Nate Johnson, p, 0 0 0 0, Eric Bohr, 2b, 0 0 0 0, Jake Stolley, p, 3 0 0 0, Corey Prokop, 2b, 3 1 1 2, Austin Stroschein, 3b, 1 1 0 0. Totals 23 5 4 5.

XAVIER (9)
Blake Helms, ss, 4 2 0 0, Nate Even, 2b, 2 2 0 0, Mack Mattke, 1b, 3 1 2 0, Josh Tipton, cr, 0 0 0 0, Kevin Hosch, lf, 4 1 1 1, Corbin Woods, 3b, 3 2 1 1, Eric Zenisek, rf, 2 1 0 0, Alex Ries, cf, 2 0 2 2, Colby Brecht, c, 1 0 0 1, Colin Brown, cr, 0 0 0 0, Ean McNeal, p, 3 0 0 0. Totals 24 9 6 5.

Linn-Mar  002  012  0 -- 5  4  1
Xavier        203  004  x -- 9  6  2

Stolley, Greve (3), Johnson (6), A.Strochein (6) and Danover. McNeal, Mattke (6) and Brecht.
2B--Larison, Mattke, Woods. SB--Kvach, Prokop 2, Tipton.