Dowling Catholic scored three runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings and came from behind to beat host Xavier, 8-3, Thursday night in a non-conference baseball game at Ken Charipar Field.

Xavier (9-8) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when an RBI single by Zach Brown plated Bryce Grimm.

Xavier pitcher Reggie Schulte allowed two runs in four innings but left with the Saints trailing, 2-1.

“Schulte did a nice job pitching to contact and we got off to a good start,” said Xavier Coach Dave Schemmel.  “We just didn’t seem to follow through.”

Luke Hammerberg's two-out, bases-loaded double plated a pair of runs and put Xavier back on top, 3-2.

“There were two outs and the bases were loaded,” explained Hammerberg.  “I was just looking for a strike and got an inside fastball and I got the hit that we needed.  I was happy to put us ahead.”

The lead was short lived as Dowling put up three runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings on only three hits.

“Seven of the eight runs that they scored reached base by something other than a hit,” said Schemmel.  “That really takes the air out.

“We have to hit better. We need to deliver in key situations and we need to make the critical plays.”

Xavier travels to Dubuque Senior for a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader Friday.

DOWLING (8): Mauro, rf, 4 1 0 0, Tigner, lf, 3 0 1 1, Lewton, c, 4 0 2 1, Devenney, cr, 0 0 0 0, Hunter, dh, 4 0 0 0, Pieper, p, 0 0 0 0, Whipple, p, 0 0 0 0, Benoit, p, 0 0 0 0, Denkinger, cf, 3 2 1 0, Bowman, 1b, 4 1 1 0, Hammen, 2b, 3 2 2 1, Nost, 3b, 2 1 0 1, McMurray, ss, 3 1 1 1.  Totals 32 8 8 5.

XAVIER (3): Grimm, cf, 3 1 1 0, Woods, ss, 4 1 1 0, Pick, 1b, 2 1 0 0, Brown, 3b,2 0 1 1, Ratz, rf, 3 0 0 0, Hammerberg, c, 3 0 1 2, Baldus, cr, 0 0 0 0, Meaney, lf, 3 0 0 0, Harriott, dh, 3 0 0 0, Schulte, 1b, 1 0 0 0, Drahozal, p, 0 0 0 0, Keller, 2b, 3 0 0 0. Totals 27 1 3 1.

Dowling     002 003 3 -  8 8 2
Xavier      100 020 0 -  3 4 3

Pieper, Whipple (4), Benoit, (6) and Lewton.  Schulte, Drahozal (5), and Hammerberg. W-Whipple. L-Drahozal. 2B-Hammerberg. SB-McMurray, Grimm, Woods.