The Saint Louis University baseball team returned home on Tuesday to the sounds of a friendly crowd in their home opener. The Bills were able to pick up their first win of the year as they defeated Indiana State, 3-2.
Last weekend the Bills opened the season with three losses at the Northwestern State Baseball Classic in Natchitoches, La.
Friday’s season opener went down to the wire as the Bills blew a two-run ninth inning lead to Iowa State and took the loss 9-8.
On Saturday, a six-run second was the downfall as the Bills fell to Centenary 9-4. Then, Sunday ended with a 7-0 shutout by host Northwestern State.
Those three losses left the Billikens bruised and battered coming into the home opener on Tuesday. The Bills were led by the superb starting pitching performance of junior Ben Hutton, who went six innings and gave up no runs.
Hutton was in control of the Sycamores throughout his entire stint on the mound. He gave up only two hits while striking out seven. “Ben worked both sides of the plate very well and was able to throw his breaking ball over the plate for strikes,” said coach Bob Hughes.
Hughes said, “Ben has been outstanding. He has been on the top of his game all year. He has worked hard throughout his time here and it is paying off,” Hughes said. Hutton lowered his ERA to a team leading 0.82 and picked up his first win of the year.
In the third inning the Billikens produced what little offense it would take to defeat the Sycamores. A string of three singles allowed the Bills to generate their three runs of the afternoon.
Junior first baseman Jim Bredenkoetter started the hit parade with a single to center field. Seniors designated hitter Mike Orrico and second baseman Nick Steiner followed up with a pair of singles that allowed the Bills to plate their first two runs.
With Steiner on second base and senior Brandon Shockley at the plate, ISU pitcher Brian Woods balked. Steiner moved to third base and then Shockley delivered with an RBI groundout to the first baseman.
After the third inning, the Bills bats went silent against the revolving-door pitching of the Sycamores. ISU used eight pitchers against the Bills in an effort to give everyone work and to keep SLU off balance.
The strategy worked as the Bills were only able to muster three hits after the third inning.
Hughes said, “At this time of the year, the pitchers are ahead of the hitters.
“Our guys need to see some live pitching. We have only been able to see live pitching in practice four times.”
As the top of the ninth inning began the Billikens were leading 3-0 and sophomore Jake Baumgartner was on the hill. Baumgartner walked the leadoff man but retired him on a fielders choice.
With one out and one on, Baumgartner left the game and freshman Greg Coles took the mound.
ISU catcher Tommy Jeffers was the first and only batter Coles faced. Jeffers drove the ball deep and gone over the outfield fence for a two-run homer.
The score was then 3-2 and the Bills turned to another freshman, Kris Weber. ISU right fielder Brad Pierce hit a ball off Weber that looked to be a sure hit, but second baseman Steiner made a stellar defensive play to rob Pierce.
With two out and the bases empty the Bills made another pitching change and brought in junior Wes Jaillet. Jaillet gave up a two-out single to center, but was able to stop the Sycamore rally by getting the final out on a sharply hit ground ball to Shockley at third base. Jaillet earned his first save of the year in his second appearance.
The Billikens are back in action this Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Billiken Sports Complex against Chicago State in a double-header with the first pitch at noon.
