April 30, 2000

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - For the second time in three games, Saint Louis University's starting pitcher limited the offensive opportunities for the nationally-ranked Houston Cougars, but could not get the run support he needed as the Billikens (17-29, 5-16 C-USA) fell 5-0 this afternoon in Conference USA baseball action at The Billiken Sports Center. Saint Louis managed just two hits in the game, while Houston posted five runs, four earned, on nine hits.

Billiken hurler Ben Hutton (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) looked strong early, retiring the Cougars in order in the first inning before giving up a pair of runs on three hits in the second. The sophomore settled in, allowing just three hits and one run over his next five innings. With such impressive pitching, the Billikens were down just 3-0 through seven innings, but the bats were silent. Kurt Evans (Germantown, Tenn./Christian Bros.) recorded the first of only two hits in the third with a two-out single.

The Cougars stormed into the eighth inning with a leadoff double by Shane Nance that knocked Hutton out of the game in favor of Ryan Warnecke (Highland, Ill./BAC). The senior gave up a sacrifice bunt and a triple to push the lead to four runs. J.P. Woodward reached on an error by the Billiken rightfielder and the fifth run crossed the plate. Warnecke walked the next batter before turning it over to freshman Jake Baumgartner (Auxvasse, Mo./North Callaway).

The Billikens tried to rally in the eighth against UH starter Duncan McAdoo when third baseman Joe Boyer (St. Louis, Mo./Hillsboro) singled to left field and was sacrifice to second by Steve Moss (Arnold, Mo./St. Pius X) for the second out of the inning. McAdoo walked pinch hitter Mike Orrico (Boca Raton, Fla./Olympic Heights) and it looked good for the Bills. The Cougars brought in reliever Greg Runser struck out Evans to end the threat.

A leadoff double and a walk in the ninth spelled trouble for Saint Louis, but Jason Schlautman (Chesterfield, Mo./DeSmet) came in and forced a double play to end the inning. The Billikens were retired in order in the bottom of the frame.

Hutton gets the loss for Saint Louis to fall to 3-4 on the season while McAdoo earns the victory to improve to 6-1.

The Billikens are back in action on Wed., May 3, for a 6 p.m. game at Southeast Missouri State.