(Courtesy Saint Louis Athletics)
Saint Louis’ Jake Henson and Josh Bunselmeyer hit their sixth and fourth home runs, respectively, as the Billikens defeated East Tennessee State 10-8. Freshman Luke Sommerfeld (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win in relief. Saint Louis rises to 19-10 overall.
After a lengthy rain delay, the Billikens started the game with an offensive explosion. Mike Vigliarolo drove in the first run of the day on an RBI single through the left side. Henson later blasted a three-run homer. Bunselmeyer followed suit with a solo shot to deep left field, bringing the tally to 5-0.
They continued to score in the second when Braxton Martinez legged out the back end of a double play to reach safely, allowing the runner to score from third.
In the third, Danny Mannion ripped a double to right center, scoring one. Alex King followed with a sacrifice fly to right center. Michael Bozarth lifted another sacrifice fly to right center to score another, bringing the score to 9-0 in favor of the Billikens.
The Buccaneers rallied in the fourth, scoring eight runs on eight hits. Through four innings, SLU held a 9-8 lead.
Saint Louis grabbed an insurance run in the fifth when the ETSU overthrew a ball to CF, allowing Bozarth to score from first. It was the Billikens’ 10th run of the day, the seventh time they have scored double-digit runs this season.
Sommerfeld threw well out of the bullpen for the Bills. He threw a career-best 5.1 innings without allowing a hit or run, walking three and striking out two.
The Billikens and ETSU will resume the series tomorrow, April 3 at 6 p.m. Junior Josh Moore will start on the mound for Saint Louis.
