ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University baseball completed a sweep of its first Atlantic 10 Conference opponent here Saturday afternoon, defeating Rhode Island, 7-3, in the third game of the series.

The win moves SLU to 19-6 overall and starts the Billikens out with an unblemished 3-0 A-10 mark.

Owen Chaffin threw three scoreless frames to start the game for SLU, while offensively, Cole Smith's second home run of the season gave the Billikens the 2-0 lead heading into the top of the fourth inning. The visiting Rams answered in the ensuing half inning, taking a 3-2 lead off of a sacrifice fly, double and single. 

SLU fought back, answering the call with a four-run fourth inning of its own, as Smith tallied his third RBI of the day followed by an RBI double to center field courtesy of Tyler Fogarty. 

In relief on the mound, Evan Gray's five strikeouts through 3.1 innings helped the Billikens keep the Rams at bay, while the home team plated one final run in the bottom of the seventh inning as SLU captured the 7-3 victory.

Ethan Sitzman and Smith's two runs apiece led SLU, while the latter drove in a team-high three RBIs. 

The Billikens will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon to hose SIUE. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at the Billiken Sports Center.