ST. LOUIS – The Billikens fell 5-4 to Saint Joseph's in their Atlantic 10 opener on Friday afternoon.
 
Saint Louis struck first in the fourth inning when Ethan Sitzman scored off a Riley Iffrig single and a throwing error by the center fielder. Hank Gomric batted in Iffrig on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded.
 
The Hawks answered the next inning with a grand slam to go up 4-2.
 
The Bills plated one in the sixth and another in the seventh, both on bases loaded walks to tie the game at 4-4.
 
St. Joe's scored off a sacrifice fly in the ninth to end the game at 5-4.
 
Game two of the series will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Billiken Sports Center and will be streamed on ESPN+