ST. LOUIS – The Saint Louis University baseball team earned their 13th win in program history over Missouri State here Tuesday, as the Billikens defeated the in-state Bears 5-3 at the Billiken Sports Center.

The win was not only the home team's 13th-ever victory over MoState dating back to the programs' first meeting in 1970, but its first since 2012.

SLU moves to 15-1 on the year with the win capping an eight-game home stand with a record of 7-1.

Making his first start on the mound freshman Owen Kelly kept the Bears off the board in the top of the first inning, while offensively, Cole Smith's two RBI single got things started in the midweek contest. The Bears answered in the second, tying things up at two apiece.

Smith's third RBI of the day pushed the Billikens back on top, 3-2, as the senior's single to center field plated Ethan Sitzman in the third inning.

An insurance RBI by Sitzman further extended the Billikens lead before a throwing error by the Bears' second baseman set up Patrick Clohisy to steal home to boost the Billikens' lead to three runs.

The visiting Bears drove in one more run but Ethan Bell's third save of the season got the Billikens out of a jam and seal the 5-3 win.

Complimenting Bell's save, Owen Chaffin earned the win on the mound, striking out three batters while seeing the Billikens to five fly outs and three ground outs.

The Billikens hit the road for their upcoming four games and will play a three-game series at Southeastern Louisiana before finishing their road trip at Tulane. First pitch against the Lions is set for Friday at 6 p.m. in Hammond, La.