CINCINNATI (Interstat) — Evan Vasiliou pitched five strong innings and Xavier overcame a three-run deficit with a four-run third inning, defeating Creighton 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at Marge Schott Stadium in a Big East matchup.

The Musketeers improved to 27-28 overall and 9-10 in conference play, while the Bluejays fell to 29-24 and 10-8. Xavier took the series two games to one after losing the opener Thursday and winning Friday.

Creighton struck first in the top of the first inning. Center fielder Isaac Wachsmann homered to left-center field for a solo shot that gave the Bluejays a 1-0 lead. The Bluejays added two more runs in the frame on a groundout and a strikeout, but the scoring was capped by the early outburst.

Xavier’s offense struggled against Creighton starter Shea Wendt through the first two innings, managing just a walk and a hit batter. But the bottom of the third turned the game around. After a pitching change, the Musketeers loaded the bases on walks and a single. Charlie Burdette singled through the right side, driving in a run and trimming the deficit to 3-1. Later in the inning, with the bases still loaded, a fielding error by Creighton third baseman allowed two more runs to score, knotting the game at 3-3. A wild pitch then brought home the go-ahead run, giving Xavier a 4-3 lead.

The Musketeers tacked on an insurance run in the fourth inning. After a hit batter and a sacrifice bunt, Creighton intentionally walked Burdette. A wild pitch allowed Thomas to score from third, making it 5-3. Xavier’s bullpen held the lead from there.

Vasiliou earned the win, allowing one earned run on one hit over five innings while striking out four. It was a bounce-back performance after he surrendered seven earned runs in three innings against Georgia Tech on May 3. Joseph Arend pitched three and two-thirds innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Owen Poole recorded the final two outs in the ninth inning after Creighton threatened.

For Creighton, relievers Brian Gould, Shea Wendt, Henry Prindl and Anthony Unga combined for 6.1 scoreless innings after the fourth, but the early damage proved insurmountable. Jakob Ruhl took the loss, allowing one earned run in one and two-thirds innings. Jimmy Burke faced one batter and was charged with an earned run on a wild pitch. Wachsmann led the Bluejays offense with a home run and a run batted in, going 1-for-4.

The Bluejays mounted a rally in the top of the ninth. With two outs, a single and a hit batter loaded the bases, and pinch hitter Fuchino singled through the left side, driving in two runs to pull Creighton within two. But with the tying run on base, pinch hitter Rice fouled out to left field to end the game.

Creighton had defeated Xavier 5-2 on Thursday before falling 3-2 on Friday. Xavier’s win Saturday evened the season series at two games apiece, with the teams scheduled to meet again later in the season.

Interstat’s game simulator projected Xavier to win 6-4, and its ELO system gave Creighton a 54 percent probability to win.