RICHMOND, VA. – The Saint Louis Billikens suffered a heartbreaking 8-7 loss to the Richmond Spiders in the opener of the three-game conference series. With the loss, Saint Louis falls to 29-12 overall and 11-2 in conference action. Senior RHP Alex Alemann was tabbed with the loss, falling to 6-3 on the year.

The Billikens opened up the game on a tear, with back-to-back home runs from Braxton Martinez and Mike Vigliarolo to give the Bills an early 3-0 lead in the first. In the second, Michael Bozarth ripped a triple to right center to score the fourth run of the contest. A Danny Brennan double and a Mike Levine single in the third gave the Billikens a commanding 6-0 lead through three innings of play.

In the fourth, Alemann ran into some trouble. He was able to get two quick strikeouts, but loaded the bases with two away. The Spiders leapt at the opportunity and plated eight runs in the frame to take the lead.

The Bills drew within one in the seventh, when Vigliarolo went deep to left for his second homerun of the game. It was his fifth long ball of the year, tying him for second on the squad.

Saint Louis held Richmond scoreless in eight innings, but the eight-run rally was enough. It is only the sixth time this season the Billikens have allowed eight or more runs in a contest. The Bills also committed four errors on the day, tying a season-high.

Game two of the three-game series will begin tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CT. Sophomore Nick Bates will take the mound for Saint Louis.