SAINT LOUIS, Mo. - The University of Dayton tried to mount a comeback against Saint Louis University on Friday evening, but fell short, as the Billikens ultimately prevailed 4-2 from the Billikens Sports Center.

KEY MOMENT
- SLU took control of the game early with three runs in the first inning, getting two doubles and a single to take the lead. The Billikens would never look back from there.

SCORING BREAKDOWN
Bottom 1st
- Saint Louis jumped ahead early, plating three runs on four hits to go up 3-0.

Bottom 2nd
- SLU manufactured its second run of the game, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly to put the hosts up 4-0.

Top 6
- Dayton got on the board and made it 4-2 thanks to a sacrifice fly from sophomore Connor Echols that plated senior Nick Ryan and a two-out, RBI single from senior Cale Dineen that brought home Brandon Smith.

KEY STATS
- The four runs allowed was the fewest by Dayton pitching in Atlantic 10 action this season.
- Senior Kevin Piersol, who has worked his entire career as a reliever, gave a valiant effort on the mound, settling in and throwing 6.2 innings allowing four runs and striking out three.
- Piersol limited the Billikens to just two hits in his final 4.2 innings of work.
- Freshman Tyler Jones worked the final 1.1 innings and allowed just one baserunner while striking out one. 
- Redshirt freshman Brandon Smith continued his on-base streak with a 1-for-3 day at the plate. It's now up to 17 games.
- Senior Nick Ryan had the Flyers' lone extra-base hit of the game, a sixth inning double that started UD's two-run frame.

UP NEXT
Dayton continues its three-game set against Saint Louis with a Saturday afternoon game, scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET.