SAINT LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Saint Louis University Baseball looked good through six, but a two home run inning put VCU up for good. The Rams posted four runs in the top of the seventh and grabbed a 4-2 win on Friday.
Saint Louis (16-8, 3-1 A-10) began Friday’s contest with an early lead thanks to Jake Garella. The right fielder drove in Aaron Case on a double to left-center to make it a 1-0 lead.
The Billikens looked patient at the plate early as VCU ace Connor Gillespe struggled to find the plate. The Rams’ right-handed pitcher walked two batters in the bottom of the second and loaded the bases, but rebounded to get two quick outs to keep the Billiken lead at one.
The Billikens made it a two-run lead in the bottom of the fourth. With runners at the corners, Ryan Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to the wall in right field, which scored Nick Reeser, and made it 2-0.
Saint Louis looked to be in complete control until one bad pitch in the top of the seventh from Hogan turned the game on its head. Daane Berezo struck-out in the leadoff role, but reached as the pitch bounced to the backstop which became a key to the game.
With Berezo standing at first, Paul Witt hit his second home run of the season and tied the game at two. Moments later, VCU took the lead for good.
Liam Hibbits came to the plate with Brett Willett standing at first and completed the turn of momentum for the Rams. The VCU first baseman turned on an 0-2 pitch and hit it off the scoreboard in right to take a 4-2 lead, which stood as the game-winner.
Nick Reeser was a standout for Saint Louis offensively. The senior from Shawnee, Kan., hit two doubles on the night, a new career-high for doubles in a game.
The Billikens will now re-group for their next matchup with the Rams on Saturday as Jackson Wark will take the hill.
