ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis University baseball secured the series win over Rhode Island here Friday afternoon as the Billikens defeated the Rams 8-1 at the Billiken Sports Center to move to 17-6 on the season. 

In his third start of the season, Jackson Yarberry threw five scoreless frames in the victory as the Rams' lone run crossed home plate courtesy of a failed pickoff attempt by the freshman pitcher.

The Billikens offense was clicking on all cylinders in game two of Atlantic 10 Conference play, never trailing the Rams after taking a two-run lead in the bottom of the third inning off of RBI singles from Patrick Clohisy and Cole Smith. SLU tacked on two runs to go up 4-0 in the fourth frame, as Clohisy's double to center field drove in his third RBI of the day.

Despite giving up a run in the fifth, the Billikens kept swinging and were rewarded for it as Austin Neuweg and Ethan Sitzman both drove in runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pushing the game out of reach for the visiting Rams, Tyler Fogarty hit a double down the left field line to score both Clohisy and Sitzman, giving the Billikens the 8-1 advantage. 

In relief earning his first save of the year, Charlie Weber helped the Billikens escape the game unscathed and move to 17-6 on the year and 2-0 in A-10 Conference play.

The Billikens will look for the series sweep over Rhode Island tomorrow in the series finale at the Billiken Sports Center. First pitch against the Rams is set for 12 p.m.