May 12, 2000

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University climbed back from an early 5-3 deficit, but could not stop the UAB Blazers in the final inning as the Billikens fell 9-8 tonight in Conference USA baseball action at The Billiken Sports Center. The Billikens (18-33, 5-20 C-USA) tied the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the seventh when Mike Orrico (Boca Raton, Fla./Olympic Heights) drove in the last of his four runs in the game. UAB's Brent Laircey answered with a solo home run in the top of the ninth to give the Blazers the victory.

UAB struck early, scoring four runs in the top of the first, although all were unearned for Billiken starter Dan Shouse (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette). The Billikens answered with three of their own in the bottom of the frame when UAB hurler Lee Jolly walked the first three batters he faced to load the bases for Adam Shea (Chesterfield, Mo./DeSmet). The Billiken catcher grounded out, leading the sacks packed for Orrico. The designated hitter answered with a two-RBI single to left field. Shea scored on an error before Lee could record the final two outs.

The Blazers added a run in the top of the second and two more in the third to take a 7-3 edge. Saint Louis stepped up with two runs in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a pair of Blazer errors. Shouse kept UAB off the board in the next two innings, while the Billikens tacked on a run in each to tie the game at 7-7. Brian Haddock (St. Louis, Mo./SLUH) drove in the run in the fourth, while Orrico plated another in the fifth.

Two walks and an error opened the sixth inning as Shouse was in trouble with the bases loaded a no outs. Jason Schlautman (Chesterfield, Mo./DeSmet) came on to close out the inning, but not before a sacrifice fly would give the Blazers a one-run lead. Orrico's double in the seventh tied the score a 8-8 and it looked like extra innings as both teams went quietly in the eighth. Schlautman gave up the solo shot to Laircy before turning it over to close Jake Baumgartner (Auxvasse, Mo./North Callaway). The freshman lefthander closed out the inning, but the damage was done. The Billikens went down in order in the bottom of the frame.

These two teams square off again Sat., May 13, at 1 p.m. The action can be heard live on WINU 880 AM.