SAINT LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] One big inning for Purdue made all the difference. A three-run third inning for the Boilermakers and solid pitching down the stretch became key as the team from West Lafayette, Ind., defeated the Billikens 5-2 on day two of the Alamo Irish Classic on Friday.

Saint Louis (1-4) looked to get back into the win column on a rainy day in San Antonio and was able to survive a first inning scare. Purdue leadoff man Evan Warden reached first on an error, but a pickoff later in the inning eliminated the threat.

The Boilermakers broke through in the second inning. A leadoff walk to Nick Dalesandro became the game's first run just a few moments later. The junior from Plainfield, Ill., advanced to both second and third via wild pitches before Ben Nisle drove him in on a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 1-0.

Purdue opened things up in the third. Braden Giroux became the third consecutive leadoff hitter to reach base, the second consecutive via the walk, and put a runner on with no outs. Warden followed with a base hit to put runners at first and second with no outs.

The second error for the Billikens made an impact in the third as an errant throw to first allowed Giroux to score and gave the Boilermakers a 2-0 lead. Skyler Hunter followed the defensive miscue up with a two-RBI single to left and put Purdue up 4-0.

The Billikens answered in the bottom-half of the inning. Alex King hit a one-out RBI double down the left field line, which scored Ryan Hernandez, and put Saint Louis on the board.

Parker Sniatynski followed it up with a ground-out to short later in the inning, which scored Aaron Case, and cut the deficit to 4-2. That was, however, as close as the Billikens got.

Saint Louis was led by Alex King who went 2-4 on the day. It was the best game at the plate of the season for the Billiken shortstop who moved to the No. 2 hole on Friday.

The Billikens will get back to action on Saturday as they take-on Incarnate Word. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas.