CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Will Cowan drove in four runs and the Saint John’s Red Storm defeated the Xavier Musketeers 12-7 on Friday afternoon at Marge Schott Stadium in a Big East slugfest that featured 33 combined hits.

Cowan, the designated hitter who entered the game mired in a 1-for-13 slump over his previous four contests, went 2 for 5 with a triple and four RBIs. His two-run triple in the sixth inning broke open a tight game, and he added a two-run single in the seventh as Saint John’s pulled away.

The Red Storm improved to 22-19 overall and 22-19 across all competitions, while Xavier dropped to 19-24.

Adam Agresti gave Saint John’s an early lead, homering to center field in the first inning for a two-run blast that scored Jayder Raifs. The Musketeers answered immediately in the bottom half. Jorge Valdes singled, stole second and scored on Josh Stonehouse’s RBI double. Stonehouse then stole third and came home on a Jonathan Fitz single, cutting the deficit to 2-2.

The game remained tied until the top of the fifth, when Jon LeGrande homered to right field to push Saint John’s ahead 3-2. Xavier tied it in the bottom of the fifth on an unearned run after a throwing error by the right fielder allowed Stonehouse to score.

The pivotal moment came in the top of the sixth. Shaun McMill singled and Agresti doubled, setting the stage for Cowan’s triple to right field that scored both runners. Ayden Frey doubled to center to bring home Cowan, and the Red Storm led 6-2. Xavier answered with four runs in the bottom of the sixth, fueled by five consecutive hits, including a Valdes RBI single, a Burdette RBI single and a Stonehouse RBI single. That trimmed the margin to 6-6.

Saint John’s took control for good in the seventh. LeGrande led off with a single, Raifs doubled, and after a hit batter and a wild pitch, LeGrande scored. Another hit batter loaded the bases. Cowan then singled through the left side, driving in two more runs. Frey doubled to center for another RBI, and Rob Mansour singled and advanced on a throwing error, adding two more runs. The Red Storm plated six runs in the inning on four hits, a hit batter, two walks and an error to build a 12-6 cushion.

Cowan, who had been 0 for 4 against Georgetown on April 12 and 0 for 3 in a loss at Connecticut on April 18, produced his best offensive output of the season. He was supported by LeGrande, who went 3 for 5 with a home run and an RBI, and Frey, who went 2 for 5 with two RBIs.

Victor Frederick pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for Saint John’s, allowing no hits and striking out three while earning the win. Jack DeTienne threw two scoreless innings for the Musketeers, giving up one hit and striking out one.

For Xavier, Fitz had four hits in five at-bats with an RBI, and Valdes went 4 for 6 with an RBI. Stonehouse finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs. The Musketeers outhit Saint John’s 18-15 but left 11 runners on base.

Owen Poole took the loss for Xavier, allowing three hits and one earned run in one inning of work.

The teams continue their three-game series Saturday and Sunday at Marge Schott Stadium. Saint John’s next travels to Hofstra on Tuesday, while Xavier visits Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Saint John’s 8, Xavier 7. Interstat’s ELO system had given Xavier a 55.60 percent probability to win the game.