ST. LOUIS – No. 23 Indiana State could not secure a series sweep Saturday as Saint Louis took the weekend finale, 8-5, at the Billikens Sports Center. The Sycamores uncharacteristically committed three errors on the day that led to four unearned runs – the difference in the game.
 
Left-hander Tristan Weaver was charged with the loss after a 5.1 inning start on the mound, falling to 0-2 on the season. Making his return from an early season injury, Weaver struck out five and did not issue a walk, but Saint Louis (8-18) was able to pick up six hits on the Auburn, Ill. native with most of the damage coming in a four-run third inning.
 
Seth Gergely connected on his first home run of the season in the top of the third – a two-run blast over the wall in right field -- to break the scoreless ballgame and push Indiana State (13-7) ahead. The ISU lead was short-lived as Saint Louis answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.
 
SLU's Ryan Hernandez and Tyler Fogarty recorded back-to-back singles to open the frame before the Sycamores were able to get the lead runner on a sacrifice bunt. The out was followed by a throwing error from Grant Magill that moved both runners into scoring position. Jake Garella made the Sycamores pay as he tied the game with a two-RBI double to center before Cam Redding left his mark on the inning with a two-run home run to extend the Billiken lead to 4-2.
 
Diego Gines cut into the Saint Louis lead in the fourth with a solo home run to leadoff the inning. ISU would get three base hits in the frame, including the third RBI of the day from Gergely as he singled up the middle to tie the game at four. Jordan Schaffer hit his first home run of the year in the fifth off SLU reliever Charlie Sheehan to put Indiana State back out in front.
 
Saint Louis put together their second four-run inning in the sixth after picking up three hits, a hit-by-pitch and two Sycamore errors. After a strikeout to begin the inning, Weaver tagged the second batter he faced while an infield error allowed the second baserunner to reach, forcing ISU to go to the bullpen for right-hander Connor Fenlong.
 
Fenlong was able to retire the first Billiken he faced with a strikeout before SLU strung together three-consecutive base hits to go along with a wild pitch that scored a run. All four runs that scored were unearned.
 
SLU outhit Indiana State for the first time in the series, 10-8. Saint Louis also hit 4-for-10 with two outs and 6-for-14 with runners on base.
 
Sheehan was credited with the win, moving to 2-1 on the season after pitching four innings, striking out six and allowing just one run. Ryan Patel earned his first save of the season after closing out the final two-third innings.
 
Indiana State is back in action on Friday as the team begins Missouri Valley Conference action with a four-game series at Illinois State.
 
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