JOLIET, Ill. --- Saint Xavier University muscled up for three home runs to claim the rubber game of a three-game series against the University of St. Francis baseball team with its 6-2 victory at Duly Health and Care Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Patrick Doran delivered two of the home runs, including one in the first inning after the first two batters of the game were retired.  His two-run home run to right centerfield spotted the Cougars a 2-0 lead.  He also homered to lead off the eighth inning when SXU scored two times to turn a 4-1 lead into a 6-1 advantage.

Saint Xavier's other home run came from Declan Smyth, a solo shot in the third inning after two outs.

USF (8-21, 3-5 CCAC) got the latter run back in the fourth inning after John McGuire and Eric Maffie opened with a single and double, respectively.  McGuire came around to score on a Brayan Hidalgo groundout.

The Saints looked to make some noise in the ninth inning when they loaded the bases with only one out.  However, they were only able to push one run across on a Gio Pappas groundout.

Alex Martinez was the only USF player to register multiple hits in the contest.  He went 2-for-2 at the top of the order.  Saint Xavier (13-16, 5-3) countered with four players boasting two or more hits.

Notes: Saint Xavier turned four double plays in the contest … Five of USF's seven runners left on base came over the final two innings … The Saints wrap up what has turned into being a ten-game homestand on Friday when they host Roosevelt University at noon.    

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