MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's baseball team kicked off conference play on Friday afternoon, falling to Saint Louis, 4-1, at Smithson Field.
Saint Louis (13-7 overall, 1-0 Atlantic 10) got on the board in the top half of the third as Ryan Hernandez led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, and came in to score on a groundout by Alex King.
Saint Joseph's (8-9 overall, 0-1 Atlantic 10) equalized in the bottom half as Brian Markoski led off with a walk, stole second, and came around to score on a double by Marc Giacalone.
What had started out as a pitcher's duel between two of the best arms in the conference in the Hawks' Tim Brennan and SLU's Miller Hogan turned the way of the Billikens in the sixth. After Brennan retired the first two batters of the inning, Parker Sniatynski and Jake Garella singled before a Carter Hanford double and a passed ball put Saint Louis back on top, 3-1.
Three singles in the seventh, capped off by an RBI from Aaron Case, extended the SLU margin to 4-1.
The Hawks had a chance in the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate with one out, but Hogan induced a double play to end the ballgame.
Hogan improved to 4-1 on the season with the complete game, allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out 11. He retired 15 consecutive batters in the late innings to lead the Billikens to their 12th consecutive win. Brennan allowed four runs – three earned – on nine hits in seven innings to fall to 3-2.
The teams will continue the series on Saturday. First pitch at Smithson Field is set for 2:00 p.m.
