Mullen, Hawks Blank Saint Louis, 9-0, to Open Atlantic 10 Baseball Play

CAMDEN, N.J. – Kyle Mullen unfurled a gem on Friday afternoon as the Saint Joseph’s baseball team shut out Saint Louis, 9-0, in the conference opener for both teams at Campbell’s Field. Mullen went the distance, allowing just four hits while walking none and striking out four. The win is Mullen’s second complete game shutout of the year after he previously blanked Texas-San Antonio on February 26. Saint Louis (14-7 overall, 0-1 Atlantic 10) had runners on the corners and two outs in both the top of the first and top of the fourth but Mullen induced a lineout and a fielder’s choice, respectively, to escape the potential jams. Saint Joseph’s (8-13 overall, 1-0 Atlantic 10) posted a two-spot in the bottom of the fourth to grab the early lead. Anthony Cirillo hit into a fielder’s choice with runners at the corners and nobody out to score Chris Hueth with the game’s first run. Three batters later, he came around to score on a two-out single by Joe Cook to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Greg Kumpel ripped a single into right center with runners on first and second and one out in the sixth to extend the lead. Kevin Taylor followed with a single of his own to score the fourth run for the Hawks. SJU blew it wide open in the bottom of the eighth, scoring five runs to cushion the advantage. With two outs and runners on second and third, a wild pitch allowed Taylor to score. Cody Silverman and Cirillo were hit by pitches in consecutive at bats before a wild pitch plated Hueth. Eddie Palmer drew a walk to load the bases for Quinn Renner, whose grounder to short was thrown well wide of first, allowing all three runners to score and set the final margin at 9-0. Mullen improved to 3-2 with the win, while SLU’s Alex Alemann took his first loss of the season to fall to 2-1. Alemann gave up nine hits and four runs in five and a third innings, walking three and striking out four. Taylor led the way for the Hawks at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a run scored and a run driven in. Cook, Kumpel, and Palmer added a pair of hits apiece while Hueth and Cirillo each scored a pair of runs. In advance of expected inclement weather, the Hawks and Billikens will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon. Full coverage will be available at SJUHawks.com.