In 30 of the 38 games the SLU baseball team has played, the team has scored seven or fewer runs. Scott Peden drove in eight by himself on Sunday. But despite this monumental offensive feat, SLU still could not come within six runs of the Louisville Cardinals, falling by a score of 19-13. SLU's inability to have all phases of the team in sync cost them once again. The loss on Sunday gave Louisville the series and dropped the Billikens' record to 8-30 overall and 4-14 in Conference USA.
Things looked promising for SLU as they looked for their first series win of the season. Peden's grand slam in the second inning gave SLU a seemingly comfortable lead of 7-3. But in the third inning, SLU starter Eric Rohr, pitching on three days' rest, gave up five runs to the Cardinals punctuated by a grand slam of their own. SLU was able to tie the game in the bottom of the inning, thanks to sophomore Chris Bachkora's first career home run.
But the bullpen could not hold the lead. Louisville went on to go up by a score of 19-9 over the next six innings.
SLU, playing mostly backups at this point, mangaged to put together four in the bottom of the ninth, but it was too little too late as the Cardinals were already out of reach at this point.
Peden's eight RBIs broke the school record, and in the process he extended another school record-his hitting streak-to 29 games. A senior first baseman, Peden's phenomenal success at the plate earned him the award of Conference USA hitter of the week.
"Without a doubt this was the best game I've ever played on any level. But, I really just wish we could've won the game. All these numbers and awards are great, but that's not why I'm out there. I just want to help the team win games. Looking back I'll enjoy this, but as for now I'm focused on trying to win some games,"said Peden.
On Saturday, the teams engaged in a double-header. The opener was abysmal for the Billikens, as offense, pitching and defense faltered. Things looked promising again, as sophomore catcher Bill Musselman's two-run single in the bottom of the second gave SLU a 2-0 lead. But two errors and two hit batsmen led to Louisville taking a 3-2 lead in the third inning. Louisville then broke the game open the next inning, scoring eight runs on their way to a 19-4 final score.
In the second game, fresh off a humbling defeat, SLU played some of their finest ball of the season. Bird, who was named Conference USA pitcher of the week after shutting down offensive juggernaut Southern Miss, pitched another lights-out game. Bird pitched seven innings allowing only one earned run, while striking out five.
"My location has been good the last couple games," said Bird. "I didn't walk any guys and my curveball is now going for a strike."
Peden commented, "After a 19-4 loss we were looking for anything to get our spirits up, and then Ryan came out there and just pitched another gem. When he gets into his rhythm, our defense just goes out there and plays with so much confidence, and our offense knows that it doesn't have to put up a whole lot of runs to win the game."
Not surprisingly, Peden provided all the offense that SLU would need. In the bottom of the first, he broke the hitting streak record in dramatic fashion, hitting a two-run homerun to right center. Freshman infielder B.J. Rodriguez added a solo shot the next inning, giving SLU a 3-0 lead. With Bird on the mound, SLU cruised to a 4-1 victory.
On his record-breaking hit, Peden stated, "I was still a bit angry after the loss in the first game. I think the pitcher wanted to go in on me, and I got a fastball over the plate and I took advantage of his mistake. I'm just glad we got out to a lead early in the game."
This second game of the series was like many others for a SLU team that has showed flashes of brilliance throughout the year. The win, along with convincing victories over conference powers TCU and Southern Miss, showed that SLU has the talent to compete in one of the most competitive leagues in the nation. However, the team has been marred by inconsistency and injuries. Bird concluded, "We need to keep our heads up and keep fighting. When we play a complete nine innings, things usually go our way."
