March 16, 2007

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - With a blend of solid pitching and timely hitting, Saint Louis overpowered Illinois State 5-1 this afternoon at The Billiken Sports Center. The Billikens (2-15) got a pair of home runs in the second inning to break open a 1-1 tie, and sophomore Dave Sever scattered just five hits and struck out five through eight innings to pick up his first victory of the season. Senior Ryan Crespi added a double and a home run to the Billikens' 12-hit effort, while sophomore Tom Pinnell continued to hit the ball well with a 3-for-4 afternoon.

The Redbirds jumped on Sever early with a leadoff double from Collin Salzenstein and a one-out double from Ryan Anetsberger in the top of the first. The Billikens' right-hander got out of the jam with a fly ball to center and foul out to first. The offense immediately picked up their pitcher as Pinnell led off with a single to center and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Gilbert Marlowe tied the game with a ground out to short before ISU starter Eric Theisen recorded the first two of his six strikeouts to end the inning.

After Sever quickly retired the side in the top of the second, Blake Bratcher drove a ball to right field that had just enough to ring off the scoreboard for a 2-1 Billiken lead. Crespi turned on one the other way, sending his first home run of the season over the left field wall for a 3-1 margin. The Billikens put two more runners on in the inning, but Theisen did not suffer any further damage.

Illinois State threatened in the top of the fourth as Kevin Dubler drew leadoff walk and moved to second on Jesse Griswold's single to left. Sever struck out the next two hitters, but walked Kyle Cherney to load the bases. The Billiken hurler won the battle with Dan Weston, getting the Redbirds' center fielder to pop up on the infield to end the inning.

While Sever gave up just one more hit over the next four innings, the Billikens added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth on ISU reliever Tyler Cox. Crespi led off the frame with a double to left and scored on Ryan Bennett's single to right. Pinnell moved Bennett to second with a single to right, and a stolen base put runners on the corners for Marlowe, whose ground ball was enough to plate Bennett for a 5-1 margin.

Sever yielded the mound to B.J. Rodrigue in the top of the ninth. The right-handed reliever retired the side in order for the Billikens' first home win of the season.

Pinnell's three hits were a game high, while Marlowe's two RBI led all hitters. Bratcher, Bill Musselman and Bennett joined Crespi with two hits apiece for the Billikens.

The two teams square off again on Sat., March 17, at 1 p.m.