May 13, 2007

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. - Senior right-hander Ryan Bird allowed just one earned run on six hits, but the Saint Louis offense could not pick him up in a 2-1 loss at Massachusetts this afternoon. After pounding out 15 hits yesterday, the Billikens managed just four, including a ninth-inning home run from Greg Rodgers.

Bird got off to a shaky start as Lou Prioetti led off the first with a single, stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Adam Tempesta picked up the RBI with a ground out before a double-play ball off the bat of Bryan Adamski ended the inning. Bird faced the minimum in the second after Casey Moore caught Bryan Garrity stealing to erase his single to center field. The Minutemen recorded a hit in the third and fourth as well before Bird retired them in order in the fifth.

Similarly, the Billikens had a runner on in the second, third and fourth innings. Ryan Johnson looked to get things going in the fifth with a one-out single to left. J.D. Dun drew a walk to put a Billiken in scoring position for the first time, but UMass starter Tim Comiskey retired the next two hitters to preserve the shutout. The UMass right-hander worked around three walks to load the bases in the sixth as well.

The Minutemen added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as Tempesta put a two-out single into left center field. The second baseman stole second and scored on Adamski's double down the left field line for a 2-0 lead.

SLU finally cracked the shutout against reliever Mike DiCato in the top of the ninth. Rodgers turned on his third home run of the season to lead off the final inning and pull the Billikens within a run. DiCato wrapped up his second save of the season, however, with a pair of ground balls and an infield pop-up.

Bird fell to 0-5 on the season despite allowing just one earned run on six hits and striking out four in his first complete game of the season. Comiskey improved to 3-4 after holding the Billikens to just three hits and striking out four in 6-2/3 innings. Senior outfielder Ryan Crespi extended his hitting streak to a career-best 13 games with a seventh-inning single.

Saint Louis wraps up the regular season at home this week. The Billikens host regional rival Southeast Missouri State on Tue., May 15, at 3 p.m. at The Billiken Sports Center. The Dayton Flyers visit for the final Atlantic 10 Conference series beginning on Thu., May 17, at 7 p.m.