 Baseball Staves Off Flames 4-3
March 7, 2003
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University baseball ended a three-game skid with a 4-3 victory over Illinois-Chicago this afternoon at The Billiken Sports Center. The Billikens (2-3) were efficient in scoring four runs on just nine hits, including three from senior second baseman Jake Friederich. The Flames struck first with an unearned run in the first inning. SLU took the lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Brad Daubach, which scored Don Rogers. Senior pitcher Corey Lawson scored when the next batter hit into a double play. The Billikens increased their lead in the fifth inning when freshman Jon Guyre launched his first career home run over the left field wall. Friederich followed with a single, stole second and scored on Ryan Murphy's single through the right side to push the lead to 4-1.
As Lawson cruised through the first eight innings with the help of a school-record tying five double plays, UIC looked to rally in the ninth. A leadoff double from Chuck Peters started the trouble. A J.P. Moran single and an error allowed Peters to score and cut the lead to 4-2. Lawson was forced to turn the game over to sophomore Kurt Struckhoff with a runner on second and one out. Struckhoff got a ground ball from Kevin Nelson, but an error allowed Moran to score from second, cutting the Billikens' lead to one run. Struckhoff gave way to freshman Tim Landy who recorded the second out with a strikeout of pinch hitter Marcus Goodman. With two outs and a runner on, Landy yielded to Dave Guntorius. The Billikens closer faced Jordan DeVoir, who was 3-for-4 on the day, and sealed the win with a strikeout.
With the win, Lawson improved to 1-1 on the season, while UIC starter Ryan Gehring fell to 0-1. Guntorius collected his second save in as many appearances this season. Joining Friederich with multiple hits for the Billikens was junior Don Rogers who was 2-for-4 at the plate. The two teams continue their three-game series on Sat., Mar. 8, at 1 p.m. at The Billiken Sports Center. |
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