(Courtesy Saint Louis Athletics)
Seven Billikens collected a hit as Saint Louis beat Dayton 7-4 at the Billiken Sports Center. Junior James Norwood (6-1) gets the win and Matt Eckelman gets the save (8).
Eckelman’s save was his eighth of the season. Only one pitcher in Saint Louis history has tallied double-digit saves in a single season: Travis Parker (10 in 2011 and 12 in 2012).
The Billiken offense was charged early with the Bills scoring three runs in the first, thanks in large part to a two-run blast from Danny Murphy, his fifth of the year. Murphy finished going 2-4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and three RBI.
Dayton scored twice in the third to draw within one, but SLU scored two runs in both the fourth and fifth to extend the lead to 7-2.
The Flyers threatened, scoring in the sixth and eighth to cut the deficit to 7-4. Dayton loaded the bases in the ninth, but Eckelman shut the door for the win.
In addition to Murphy, several other Bills had good days at the plate. Danny Brennan was 2-4 with a double and a run. Braxton Martinez went 2-4 with a run and an RBI. Michael Cusenza also went 2-4 adding two RBIs. As a team, the Billikens hit four doubles in the contest.
Game two between the Bills and Flyers starts tomorrow, May 3 at 2 p.m. RHP Nick Bates will take the mound for SLU.
