MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Behind an explosive nine-run final inning, Saint Louis University baseball team remained undefeated here Saturday afternoon with a 17-4 victory over Western Illinois.
 
The win moves the Billikens to 6-0 on the season, extending their best start to a season since 2002 which saw the program win seven-straight games to open its campaign.
 
SLU got off to a slower start than it did in game one against the Leathernecks, but an Ethan Sitzman RBI in the top of the third inning kicked things off on the right foot. Western Illinois answered, though, scoring three in the ensuing inning to take the 3-1 advantage. 
 
The Billikens kept swinging, scoring seven more runs in the following three innings to take back the lead, 8-3. Grand slams courtesy of Drew Winters and Cole Smith tacked on additional runs for the Billikens in the top of the ninth inning as they coasted to the 13-run victory.
 
SLU was led at the plate by Smith who scored three runs and drove in five more, and Winters, who accounted for five RBIs in two at-bats. In total, seven Billikens drove in at least one run as the Billikens batted .350 on the day.
 
On the mound, Jack Weber got the for SLU in relief, pitching 3.1 innings. Out of the 13 batters he faced, the junior right-handed pitcher only allowed three hits, one walk and struck at two batters. He moves to 2-0 on the year.
 
SLU will be back in action tomorrow to conclude its series against the Leathernecks. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. in Millington, Tenn.