Bronx, N.Y. – (April 19, 2024) – Saint Louis' Jackson Holmes and Ethan Bell combined to allow just one run, as the pitching duo led the Billikens to a 6-1 win over the Fordham Rams on Friday at Houlihan Park.
Saint Louis (26-8, 8-2 A10) opened the scoring with a three-run second inning, highlighted by RBI-singles by Chase Beattie and Ben Gallaher and an RBI-double from Easton Richter.
The Billikens extended the lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Patrick Clohisy, his team-leading seventh of the season.
Fordham (14-22, 5-5 A10) clawed back within three in the bottom of the frame, when
Cian Sahler ripped an RBI-single through the left side to score
Ryan Thiesse from second. The hit extended Sahler's career-high hit streak to 13 games.
The Billikens answered right back with a pair of runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly and an RBI-single to cap the scoring at 6-1. Saint Louis' Ethan Bell held the Rams in check over the final four innings, allowing just three hits to go with three strikeouts for his fifth save of the season. Jackson Holmes (7-1) got the win, allowing one run on nine hits over five innings.
Declan Lavelle (5-4) took the loss for Fordham, giving up six runs on 12 hits over six innings of work. Fordham's bullpen trio of
Connor Haywood,
Gannon Brady, and
Trey Maeker each threw a scoreless inning of relief. At the plate,
Madden Ocko was a career-best 3-for-3 with a walk, while Sahler had two hits and an RBI.
Tommy McAndrews and
Henry Pelinski each had two hits as well with
Daniel Bucciero having a hit, a walk, and two stolen bases.
Game two of the series between the Rams and Billikens is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday.
