Georgia Southern capitalized on 10 free passes by Xavier pitching and held off the Musketeers, 7-5, on Saturday at J.I. Clements Stadium to even the three-game series and snap a four-game losing streak.
    “We took advantage of some of the mistakes they made, some walks and hit batsmen,” GSU coach Rodney Hennon said, “and sometimes when you don’t play well for a few games, you just have to find a way to grind one out and get a win.”
    The Eagles (5-5) had a golden opportunity with the game tied, 3-3, in the bottom of the fourth inning. Xavier starter Vinny Nittoli loaded the bases on three-straight walks, but the heart of the GSU lineup came up empty  after Nittoli was relieved by Alex Westrick, who recorded three-straight outs.
    Xavier (3-5) took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Joe Forney.
    Westrick started the fifth with back-to-back strikeouts, but Kyle Streicher singled to center to keep the inning alive and Cole Watson walked. Scooter Williams was hit by a pitch — for the eighth time of the season — to load the bases.
    Ben Morgan (1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB) drew a four-pitch walk to drive in Streicher, and Chase Griffin was hit by a pitch to score Watson.
T.D. Davis hit a sharp grounder into left for a two-run single that broke the game open and put the Eagles ahead, 7-4.
    Davis struck out in the fourth in a bases-loaded situation.
    “He had a tough at-bat with that bases-loaded situation, and he steps up the next time and gets a big hit.” Hennon said. “That was good to see.”
    Freshman lefty Jason Richman (2-1) started the game, pitching five innings, striking out four and allowing four runs on eight hits.
    “I struggled with my command most of the night with my fastball and, for that matter, most of my pitches, and the guys behind me just did a great job,” Richman said. “They came to play today.”
    Robbie Dodds, who started in right field for the second time this season, was hit by a pitch in the first inning with the bases loaded for the game’s first run. Griffin scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Stryker Brown to give GSU an early 2-0 lead.
    The Eagles scrapped across another run in the third when Brent Pugh hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to left to drive in Griffin, who walked to lead off the inning.
    The three-game series wraps up Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
    Justin Hess will get the nod for GSU, while Xavier will send righty Tyler Koors to the mound.
NOTES: Morgan started at second base. It was the third different infield position he has played this season. … Xavier catcher Derek Hasenbeck hit a solo home run in the third inning. It was the first homer by a Musketeer this season. … Davis and Griffin are tied for the team RBI lead with 16 each. Both entered the series with 14, tied for the lead in the Southern Conference. … Announced attendance was 1,002.

    Matt Yogus may be reached at (912) 489-9408.