ST. LOUIS - Late walks doomed the Billiken baseball team in a 9-3 defeat to No. 21 Alabama. Saint Louis drops the series two games to one. Freshman RHP Zach Girrens was stuck with the loss. SLU falls to 1-2 overall on the season.

Southpaw Josh Moore started on the hill for the Billikens. He threw five innings allowing only two hits, four walks, two earned runs and four strikeouts. He held Crimson Tide hitters to a .133 batting average and did not allow an extra base hit.

Alabama scored first with a two RBI single to centerfield in the second inning.

Saint Louis responded in the next half-inning. With two outs, freshman Danny Mannion drew a walk in his first collegiate at bat. He advanced to third on a single to left center by Michael Bozarth. Alec Solé drew a walk to load the bases for Braxton Martinez. Martinez ripped a single to center, scoring Mannion and Bozarth. Through three innings, SLU and Alabama were tied 2-2.

Things came unglued for the Billikens in the bottom of the seventh. Billiken pitchers combined for three hit by pitches, two walks and seven total runs. 

The Billikens were able to add another run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly Danny Brennan. However, it was not enough as the Crimson Tide held on for a 9-3 win.

Saint Louis returns to action next weekend, Feb. 21 when it heads to Durham, N.C. for the Duke Blue Devil Classic. The Billikens take on Akron at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21.