(Courtesy Saint Louis Athletics)
Junior RHP James Norwood (5-1) won the pitchers’ duel at the Billiken Sports Center Friday night, leading the Billikens to a 2-1 win over Richmond. He collected his fifth win of the season, throwing 9.0 IP without an earned run, six strikeouts, one walk and two hits. With the win, Saint Louis rises to 22-14 overall and 10-3 in the Atlantic 10.
Norwood’s counterpart, Richmond’s LHP Dylan Stoops was also very effective, throwing 7.2 IP with seven strikeouts, two walks and four hits.
Norwood did not allow a hit until the third inning, a single to left field. However, the runner was gunned down trying to steal by Jake Henson.
Richmond’s lone run came in the fifth, with the first two hitters reaching via error. Norwood enticed a double play, but a run was allowed to cross.
The Billikens equalized in the seventh, with Braxton Martinez doubling down the right field line. He advanced on an Alec Solé sacrifice. Martinez then scored on an RBI single from Danny Murphy.
In the bottom of the eighth, the first two Billikens grounded out to short. The next batter, Danny Brennan, drew a walk to end Stoops’ day. Brennan was the seventh baserunner to reach off Stoops the entire game. Brennan took the opportunity to swipe second and move into scoring position with Mike Vigliarolo coming to the plate. Vigliarolo delivered a two-out RBI double down the right field line to put the Bills ahead 2-1 heading to the ninth.
The Spiders collected their second hit of the day in the ninth, but the runner was left on first as Norwood tossed his third complete game of the season.
