ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Billikens topped conference foe La Salle by a score of 5-2 in Philadelphia today. The Bills rise to 27-14 overall and 9-7 in the Atlantic 10. La Salle is now 17-24 with a 4-9 conference mark.

Saint Louis put runs on the board early. Junior Mike Levine was hit by a pitch to lead off the game. Senior Jerry Mancuso moved him to second with a single down the left field line. Junior left fielder Alex Kelly broke out of his April slump with a three-run dinger over the right field fence. It was his first home run since March 9 against North Dakota and his fourth of the season.

The Billikens built on their 3-0 lead in the second inning. Freshman Mike Vigliarolo ripped a double to right center, scoring Kelly and junior Steve Fernandez.

Junior Clay Smith held the Explorers scoreless for seven innings, but ran into some trouble in the eighth. With two away and the bases loaded, Smith surrendered a two-run single through the left side of the infield, drawing the score to 5-2. He escaped the inning with no further damage.

Senior Travis Parker shut the door with a scoreless ninth. He has now gone 30.1 consecutive innings without surrendering an earned run, dating back to last season. Parker picked up the save in today's game, his seventh of the season.

The Billikens and Explorers will meet up again tomorrow in Philadelphia. First pitch is scheduled for noon.