Feb. 27, 2008
JUPITER, Fla. - Saint Louis faces the St. Louis Cardinals in an exhibition baseball game today at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. First-pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. (CT). Live audio of the contest can be found at www.stlcardinals.com. Check this site for updates throughout the game.
COVERAGE: The game can be heard live on www.stlcardinals.com, with "The Voice of the Billikens" Bob Ramsey and Mike Claiborne calling the action. Also, the game can be followed on the Web via Gametracker by clicking on the link above.
So long from Jupiter
The Billikens leave today for Birmingham, Ala., where they will face Samford in a series beginning Friday.
That's a Wrap
The game has been called after seven and a half inning by mutual consent between the two managers. The final score of game was 15-2, Cardinals.
Attendance
2,639 are here to see today's game. Meanwhile, SLU right-handed reliever Brad Perkins pitched an effective bottom of the sixth, shutting down the Redbirds for the first time since the second inning. Score after six: 15-2 Cardinals.
Score after six and a half
The Cardinals are up 15-2. Gametracker and computer stats had to be suspended due to boxscore inbalance. Check www.slubillikens.com, however, for scoring updates.
Free Passes
The Billikens are having a hard time finding the strike zone. Also, at this point in the game, those following on Gametracker will notice odd changes. The team's have instituted re-entry rules, which obviously makes it tough to keep an official book.
Bullpen Arms
Saint Louis is switching pitchers each inning, giving as many players the opportunity to play today. SLU's trio of starters - Dave Sever, Scott Turmail and Zach Outman, again will not play today as SLU opens a three-game series at Samford on Friday.
Two down
Score knotted 2-2 through two innings of play. Senior catcher
Casey Moore ripped a ground-rule double to plate
David Blackwell. Father Biondi is on his way to an interview with Bob Ramsey and Mike Claiborne, who are broadcasting the game at www.stlcardinals.com.
Play ball
Nice start for Saint Louis. High chopper past third by Tom Pinnell just got over the head of a reached-out David Freese to plate Andrew Guerra, who led off the game with a walk. Cardinals prospect Brian Barton, though, hit a ball to right that the wind helped carry over the wall. 2-1 Cardinals through one.
11:55 a.m.
Starters have been introduced, and we are waiting to play ball. Father Biondi threw out a ceremonial first pitch to, whoelse, Cardinals Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst. Schoendienst remained on the field to exchange lineup cards with head coach Darin Hendrickson.
11:30 a.m.
The attention of the press box shifted down the left-field line, where University President Father Lawrence Biondi, S.J., was warming up prior to throwing out the first pitch of today's game. Everyone is impressed. Father Biondi and Cards GM John Mozeliak posed for photos in between talking to players.
11:05 a.m.
FSN Midwest is doing a piece on the Billikens' experience in Florida. Firstbaseman Greg Rodgers and head coach Darin Hendrickson will wear a wireless mic during the game. Matt Mach was given a portable camera yesterday to catch some "behind the scenes" action during SLU's travels.
10:50 a.m.
The Billikens, who are decked out in their all-gray uniforms, will use aluminum bats against the Cardinals, with the major-leaguers using their normal wooden bats.
Cloudy skies are still ruling the day, with a temperature at a chilly 60 degrees. That is quite a change from yesterday when the temp was well into the 80s.
10:15 a.m.
A little less than two hours before game time, the Cardinals are taking BP on the field while the Billikens stretch - but mostly watch.
10 a.m.
Lineup update: The Billikens will not throw their three weekend starters - Dave Sever, Scott Turmail and Zach Outman - since they all pitched 6-plus inning last weekend. In addition, the Billikens open a three-game series at Samford on Friday. So, the Billikens will throw a myriad of pitchers this afternoon with each of them seeing an inning or so of work.
9:50 a.m.
SLU STARTERS
1. Andrew Guerra - 2B
2. J.D. Dunn - CF
3. Greg Rodgers - 1B
4. Tom Pinnell - 3B
5. B.J. Rodrigue - DH
6. David Blackwell - LF
7. Brandon Parsons - RF
8. Casey Moore - C
9. Ziggy Moore - SS
P - Chris Merrick
Billikens continue to hit and field at Roger Dean Stadium. A good number of alumni are starting to file in, as the SLU Alumni Association is sponsoring a gathering prior to today's game.
9:30 a.m.
The team arrived at Roger Dean Stadium an immediately took the field for batting practice and infield. The rain that was hanging around southern Florida has stopped and looks like there will be a long enough break to get a full game in.
8:20 a.m.
The first group of players are beginning to gather in the lobby of the team hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla. After a short trek north, they'll pull in to Roger Dean Stadium around 9 a.m.
Check back to www.slubillikens.com for more updates.
