After a 0-4 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee snapped the Billiken baseball team’s six-game winning streak on Friday, April 12, the squad was able to rebound with strong performances over the weekend. SLU ended up taking two of the three games against Milwaukee, a mid-season out-of-conference opponent.

The Billikens (26-11) first took a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on April 13, led by sophomore Nick Bates on the mound. Bates went six innings and brought his season record to 5-2, matching senior Alex Alemann’s mark. In addition, senior Marco Mejia picked up his fourth save of the season, getting one strikeout in the effort.

Alex Kelly led the Bills at the plate, going one-for-three. He registered two RBIs in the seventh with his double, cushioning what had been a 2-1 Billiken lead going into the inning. From there, Mejia, with relief help from freshman Matt Eckelman, was able to close out the Billikens’ 24th win of the season.

On a windy Sunday, the Billiken offense exploded to cap off the series, picking up an 8-4 victory over Milwaukee. The game got off to a fast start, as both teams put three runs on the board in the third inning. However, the Billikens were able to break the game open with a three-run seventh inning, giving them a 7-4 advantage. The inning scoring was spurred when centerfielder Danny Brennan was hit by a pitch and was later driven in by Mike Levine. Then, with runners on second and third, Jake Henson slapped a grounder to the Milwaukee first baseman. The ball was too hot to handle, and Henson gained two RBIs, giving SLU a 7-4 lead.

Finally, in a mid-week tussle with cross-town rival Washington University, the Billikens picked up another win, topping the Bears 5-4.

While Josh Moore got the start for SLU, Mejia picked up the win, forcing a crucial bases-loaded double play in the top of the ninth. Mejia’s clutch pitching set the stage for the Billiken offense, which was able to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth. After Levine was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Washington intentionally walked Bozarth, bringing Kelly to the plate with the bases loaded. The Washington pitcher, Max Zhang, walked Kelly, sending Levine to home for the victory.