March 6, 2002

Final Stats

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University baseball recorded its seventh in of the season with a 3-2 victory over Bradley this afternoon at The Billiken Sports Center. Three players recorded two hits and an RBI each as the Billiken offense grinded out the win. Senior pitcher Torrey Lombardo picked up the win for the Billikens (7-0) in his first start since Tommy John two seasons ago. Offensively, the Billikens out-hit the Braves 10-5.

Lombardo battled in the first inning as a pair of Braves doubles generated an early run. The Billikens answered in the bottom of the frame when Jim Bredenkoetter's double followed a double by Jake Friederich to tie the game. Lombardo found his rhythm in the second, holding the Braves hitless over the next four innings.

Meanwhile, the offense worked the go-ahead run across in the fifth. Kyle Wort led off with a single and moved to second on Kurt Evans' sacrifice. Friederich delivered an RBI single to left to put the Bills in front 2-1. Bradley answered as Lombardo's pitch count rose in the sixth. After recording the innings' first two outs, the Billiken senior hit Todd Spicer, who was in scoring position after a wild pitch. A walk to Ron Hensel set the table for Ryan Sullivan's double down the leftfield line, which tied the score. Lombardo got Steve Strickler to fly out to center to hold onto the tie.

Lombardo's teammates answered the call in the bottom of the sixth as Pat Steinhoff drew a two-out walk and Joe Boyer singled to put two on for Wort. The sophomore transfer drove a single to rightfield to plate Steinhoff and give the Billikens the 3-2 lead they would need for victory.

Another Billiken pitcher returning from injury took over in the seventh as Zach Placzek took the mound for the first time since shoulder surgery last season. The Billiken junior was sharp in three innings of work, allowing just two hits and not issuing a walk to collect the save.

Saint Louis is back in action on Fri., Mar. 8, against Northwestern. Game time at The Billiken Sports Center is set for 3 p.m.