April 9, 2003

Final Stats

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Saint Louis University dropped an 8-7 decision at SMS in college baseball action at Price Cutter Park tonight, despite carrying a three-run lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. The Bears rallied for three runs in the bottom of the frame to knot the score, then captured the win on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 11th. Seniors Jake Friederich and Steve Moss led the offense for the Billikens (11-15) with a pair of hits and two RBI each.

The Billikens built a 5-0 lead in the second inning, capitalizing on three walks to open the frame. Moss picked up both his RBI on a single to right to open the scoring. Senior Andrew Slania put a one-out single through the left side to drive in another run before the Bears turned to reliever Paul Marsala. The freshman right-hander did not fare much better as Friederich drove home two more runs with a single through the right side to give SLU a 5-0 lead.

The Bears answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-out, two-RBI single from Adam Pummill. A Don Rogers single opened the top of the third, but Marsala kept the Bills off the board for the next three innings. The SMS offense further cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth when a single and a walk got things going. SLU starter Zach Placzek looked to be out of danger when Tim Rafferty lined into a double play, but Shaun Marcum's two-run home run narrowed the Billiken lead to 5-4.

When the Bears went to reliever David Bader in the top of the sixth, the Billikens again looked to forge ahead. Three walks loaded the bases, but Bader managed to strike out the other three batters he faced in the inning to keep his team in the game. Senior right-hander Brad Ziegler was not as lucky when he took over in the top of the eighth. After walking Rogers, Ziegler gave up a double down the left field line to Corey Lawson and intentionally walked Aaron Thompson to load the bases. Junior Brad Daubach plated Rogers with a single to right, and, with one out, senior Derek Muncy drove Lawson home with a single to center, giving the Bills a 7-4 margin. The Bears then got two force outs at home to limit the damage.

Junior reliever Joe Buehler took the mound for the Bills in the eighth, replacing Eric Rohr after he struck out four and allowed just two hits in three innings of relief. Buehler battled out of the gate, walking the only two batters he would face before turning it over to closer Dave Guntorius. A pair of RBI singles from Rick Wilson and Clay Wheeler pulled the Bears within one, and Rafferty's fielder's choice plated the tying run before Guntorius was able to get out of the inning.

SLU got a pair of runner son in the top of the ninth, but Shaun Marcum recorded a pair of strikeouts to end the threat. Guntorius mowed down the Bears in the bottom of the ninth and was similarly effective in the 10th. After the Billikens went down in order in the 11th, SMS opened its half of the inning with a Adam Pummill single and a Dant'e Brinkley double. Guntorius issued an intentional walk to Brooks Colvin to give the Bills a force at every base. The move paid off against Greg Mathis with the Billikens getting the first out at home. Piazza, the Bears' clean-up hitter, worked the count full against Guntorius and, on a questionable ball four, drew the bases-loaded walk that delivered the 8-7 win for SMS.

The Billikens return to Conference USA action this weekend when South Florida visits The Billiken Sports Center. The three-game series begins Fri., Apr. 11, at 7 p.m.

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