ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University baseball (4-0) will continue its season over the weekend playing a three-game series against Western Illinois, Friday-Sunday, in Millington, Tenn.

GAME INFORMATION

Billiken Baseball vs. Western Illinois (Millington, Tenn.)
Opponent | Date | Time	Western Illinois | Friday, Feb. 23 | 2 p.m. (CST)
Follow Along	Live Stats | SLUBaseball Twitter
Opponent | Date | Time	Western Illinois | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 1 p.m. (CST)
Follow Along	Live Stats | SLUBaseball Twitter
Opponent | Date | Time	Western Illinois | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 12 p.m. (CST)
Follow Along	Live Stats | SLUBaseball Twitter

SERIES HISTORY

• The Billikens and Leathernecks have faced off a total of 50 times in program history.
• The teams first met on May 24, 1969, ending in a 2-0 win for the Leathernecks.
• SLU holds the all-time record with Western Illinois, 26-24.
• The Billikens and Leathernecks last met on May 25 last season ending 8-5 in favor of the Billikens. 

OPENING WEEKEND

• The Billikens opened their season last weekend in Port Charlotte, Fla., against St. Thomas and Illinois State.
• SLU won all three games and begins its season 3-0 for the first time since 2017 when the Billikens beat Lafayette, Incarnate Word and Notre Dame to start their campaign.
• The Billikens scored 49 runs in their opening three games and rank first in the Atlantic 10 Conference and fifth in the NCAA in total runs. \

MOORE HONORS

• Hayden Moore earns the season's first A-10 Player of the Week award, the league announced Tuesday.
• Moore earns the honor after posting a batting average of .545 and a slugging percentage of 1.182 through the Billikens' three opening weekend games. 
• In 11 total at-bats, the junior outfielder tallied seven runs, six hits and blasted two homeruns. 
• He also recorded a team-high nine RBIs leading the Billikens to an astounding 49 total runs.

QUICK HITTERS

• This is the first time the Billikens have started their season 4-0 since the 2017 season.
• The Billikens rank first nationally in batting average (.407) through four games.
• The Billikens are averaging 14.75 runs a game through their first four games.
• SLU's on-base percentage of .537 ranks first in the NCAA.
• The Billikens rank sixth in the NCAA and first in the A-10 in slugging percentage (.673).
• Hayden Moore's two home runs rank first in the conference.
• Austin Neuweg hit three doubles during opening weekend and leads the conference in the category.
• Neuweg's eight total runs rank 22nd in the NCAA in first in the conference while his runs per game (2.67) lead the Nation.
• Patrick Clohisy was one of four other Division I players to hit two triples on opening weekend.
• Defensively, the Billikens lead the A-10 and rank 33rd in the NCAA in double players per game (1.00). 

SEASON OUTLOOK

• The Billikens returned multiple key contributors from last year's team that went 33-23 overall and 15-9 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
• SLU came up short in the A-10 tournament final last season, falling to George Mason in the three-game series, 2-1.
• Head coach Darin Hendrickson in his 17th season leading the program and 27th year overall as a head coach.
• Hendrickson is 479-377-1 at SLU and has compiled 969 total wins over his 26 seasons.
• At the conclusion of the 2023 season, four Billikens were selected to A-10 All Conference teams as Cam Redding was tabbed first-team All-Conference at first base and was voted to the All-Academic team.
• Patrick Clohisy (outfielder) and Cole Smith (designated hitter) landed on the second team.
• Relief pitcher Ben Cherico was named to the All-Rookie team.
• The Billikens five top hitters will be back in action with Cole Smith, Hayden Moore, Ethan Sitzman, Patrick Clohisy and Tyler Fogarty returning to lead the charge at the plate.
• SLU also brings back a strong pitching core as its three starters will return to the mound. 
• Henry Litman led the charge at the mound last season, pitching a team-high 77 innings in 2023 and compiling an ERA of 4.32.
• Owen Chaffin and Jackson return for the Billikens as well, after making 14 starts apiece and recording 3 2 and 37 strikeouts, respectively.
• SLU added 15 newcomers over the offseason who will look to make an immediate impact in the upcoming season.

PRESEASON POLL

• SLU was picked to finish first in the Atlantic 10 Conference preseason poll announced Wednesday afternoon.
• The Billikens received three first place votes and 125 total points in the poll, voted on by the league's coaches.
• George Mason (2), last year's A-10 tournament champion was picked second, followed by Saint Joseph's (1), Davidson (2), VCU (2), Dayton (1), and Rhode Island (1). 
• Seven A-10 teams received at least one first place vote.