The Saint Louis University baseball team did something Tuesday that they had only done three times before, beat Southwest Missouri State.
“It was a good win for us,” said head coach Bob Hughes. “They’ve got a great club. They’re in the NCAA tournament every year. It’s a good win for our program.”
The Billikens (5-9) had only defeated the Bears three times in the last 34 meetings.
Things did not start so well, however. Junior pitcher Torrey Lombardo gave up a first- pitch home run to SMS leadoff hitter Matt Gardner. Lombardo came back strong as he fanned the next Bear hitter.
After getting out of the first inning, the Billikens came back as junior Nick Steiner lined a single between the first and second basemen. Steiner then advanced to second on an errant pick-off attempt and then stole third. With the tying run just 90 feet away, John McLaughlin struck out.
The next few innings saw a classic pitcher’s duel between Lombardo and the Bears’ pitchers. Lombardo posted six strikeouts and only one earned run. In the fifth inning, Lombardo ended his day on a good note, striking out the side.
John Rheinecker and John Hardin combined for four innings and only five strikeouts for the Bears.
Sophomore pitcher Ben Hutton came on in relief at the top of the sixth and promptly gave up a hard hit single into centerfield. Two batters later, SMS tallied another run, pushing their lead to two.
Hutton got the Billikens out of the inning and then the offense showed some life.
After two quick outs, junior John McLaughlin hit a line drive base hit to center. Junior Jim Bredenkoetter stepped up and popped a little blooper for an infield hit.
SMS pitcher Matt Skyles tried to make a play at first, but his throw went over the first baseman’s head into foul territory. McLaughlin raced around the bases to score, and Bredenkoetter slid in safe at third. With a chance to tie the game at two, Steiner came to the plate and went down on strikes.
Hutton sent the Bears down in order in the top of the seventh, and the Billikens couldn’t bring a run in at the bottom half of the inning. The score remained 2-1.
SMS went down in order for the second consecutive inning in the eighth, and then the Billikens capitalized.
Senior catcher Adam Shea blooped a single into the outfield, and then McLaughlin laid down a beautiful bunt for a hit. Bredenkoetter followed McLaughlin’s lead and laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the tying and winning runs into scoring position.
Junior Mike Orrico pinch hit and drove a ball into the outfield for a sacrifice fly, tying the game at two.
Junior Paul Miles stepped into the box with the go-ahead run on third and laced a double into the outfield, giving the Billikens the lead for the first time in the game, 3-2.
With two outs, SMS pitcher Andrew Jefferson walked the only two Billikens he faced. After another Bear’s pitching change, junior Brian Shockley had the bases loaded and ground out to first, ending the Bills chances of increasing their lead.
SMS opened the top of the ninth with a single and then a sacrifice bunt to move the lead runner to second. Hughes had seen enough and brought in hard-throwing sophomore Wes Jaillet.
SMS outfielder Nick Kays popped Jaillet’s pitch to deep left, advancing the Bears’ lone baserunner to third.
One out remaining and the tying run on third, Jaillet composed himself and struck out SMS catcher John Gallia for the final out of the game.
“Our pitching has carried us all year,” Hughes said after the game.
Lombardo was given a no decision but did have six strikeouts in only five innings of work. Hutton was given the win and Jaillet the save.
“Torrey [Lombardo] did a great job. He kept us in the game,” Hughes said. “He made that one mistake but bounced back.”
The Billikens now turn their sights toward the beginning of the Conference USA schedule.
First up on the docket is a tough Cincinnati club. The Bearcats are playing well and have compiled a 13-2 record.
“They’re playing well. They’re getting very good pitching right now,” Hughes said.
“Hopefully our bats will come alive.”
