Billikins Down SIUE Cougars

SIUE starter David LLorens turned in a career outing Wednesday night, but the Cougars fell to Saint Louis 5-4 at Simmons Baseball Complex.

The Billikens extended the NCAA's longest winning streak to 15 games an improved to 16-7 overall. SIUE fell to 5-17. The Cougars have dropped 10 straight.

Llorens threw a career-high four innings without allowing a hit. He struck out a career-best eight hitters. He walked three.

"What a great start by David," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "We're trying to extend him each week. "Now we feel really good about where he is and the stuff he showed tonight."

SIUE took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Peyton Cordova-Smith grounded out to bring Eric Giltz home. Giltz had doubled earlier in the inning.

The Billikens jumped on top with a four-run fifth inning. Alex King and Parker Sniatynski each drove in two in the inning.

SIUE responded with three runs of its own in the bottom of the inning to even the score 4-4. Jordan Ross and Jared McCunn each picked up RBI-singles in the inning and Aaron Goecks had a sacrifice fly.

"To have our guys bounce right back was good," Lyons said. "We came with good energy tonight. We played a good clean baseball game we just got beat."

Saint Louis picked up the game winner on two hits in the seventh inning. Edwardsville-native Jake Garella drove in the run with a single.

SIUE reliever Michael Sheryek (0-1) suffered the loss. He allowed the run on four hits. He struck out two and walked one.

Giltz paced the SIUE lineup with two hits and two runs scored.

Saint Louis reliever Sean Frontzak worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.

The Cougars resume Ohio Valley Conference play with a three-game home series against Belmont beginning Thursday.