SAINT LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Saint Louis University Baseball jumped-out to an early lead over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and never relinquished it. The Billikens plated runs in each of the first three innings on Wednesday in a 5-2 win over the Cougars.
Saint Louis (8-7) jumped out to an early lead thanks to the exceptional base running of Alex King. After the shortstop reached on a walk, he went on to steal second, and after a throwing error by catcher Brock Weimer on his stolen base at third, he scored to put the home team up by a run.
The Billikens added two more in the second, also thanks in part to an error with one out. Carter Hanford and Nick Reeser both singled before a fielding error allowed both Ryan Hernandez to reach and Hanford to score to make it 2-0. Aaron Case drove in another run thanks to a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.
In the third inning, James Morisano picked-up his team with one on and one out. The Billiken backstop doubled to left center field, which brought Carter Hanford in from first, and extended the home team lead to 4-0.
Cole Dubet extended the lead in the bottom of the sixth. With one out and Nick Reeser standing at first, the Billiken second baseman drilled an RBI double down the left field line to give Saint Louis a 5-0 lead.
SIUE responded with a pair in the top of the seventh. With one on and two out, Brock Hammit got a hold of a 1-1 pitch and sent it over the wall in left center to cut the Saint Louis lead to 5-2.
Charlie Sheehan got the start and picked-up his first win in a great outing. The sophomore struck-out three and allowed just three hits in three scoreless innings. Aaron Patton, Colin Townsend, Tom Bushnell, Sean Frontzak and Nick Logusch pitched in relief as Luke Sommerfeld picked-up his first save of the season.
Seven of the nine starters in the Billiken order picked-up a hit in Wednesday’s action as the team grabbed its seventh consecutive win.
With the win, the Billikens jumped over the .500 mark for the first time in 2018. The win was also the second consecutive shutout for the team in blue.
Saint Louis will now prepare for a rematch against Purdue on Friday as the Billikens welcome the Boilermakers to midtown for a three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
