PHILADELPHIA - Saint Louis University baseball dropped a rubber match with Saint Joseph's here Sunday afternoon falling to the Hawks 7-3 in the final game of the series. 

The loss is the Billikens second straight and moves their record to 21-8 overall and 4-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. 

SLU scored first in the game at Smithson Field as Ethan Sitzman reached home on a dropped fly ball by Saint Joe's outfield. The Hawks made up for their defensive mistake in the following half inning, though, driving home three runs to take the 3-1 lead over the Billikens. 

In his second start for SLU this season, Chase Beattie blasted a bomb to left field, bringing the visitors back within striking distance in the top of the second inning. But the Hawks answered once again, adding three more runs to leads SLU 6-2 at the end of the fourth inning. Knox Preston reduced the Billikens' deficit by one run in the top of the fifth, driving Patrick Clohisy home for their final score of the game.

The Billikens had one final chance for a comeback attempt in the top of the ninth, but with two base runners on the corners, were unable to plate the runs.

Clohisy, Austin Neuweg and Graham Mastros all had two hits apiece, but the Billikens 12 strikeouts at the plate were too much for them to overcome and they fell by four on the road. 

Owen Chaffin recorded the loss on the mound pitching 1.2 innings, while Evan Gray and Henry Litman made appearances in relief, the latter for 4.1 innings and striking out five batters.

SLU will be back in action Tuesday at the Billiken Sports Center hosting Southern Indiana for its midweek contest. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.