ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — The Dayton Flyers erupted for eight runs in the eighth inning to break open a close game and routed the Saint Louis Billikens 12-2 on Saturday in the opener of an Atlantic 10 Conference doubleheader.

The Flyers, who dropped the series opener 8-3 on Friday, pounded out 16 hits to improve to 13-6 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Billikens fell to 9-11 and 1-1.

For seven innings, Dayton held a narrow 4-2 lead, built on a two-run homer by Bobby Stang in the third and RBI singles from Grayson Carpenter in the second and Dyrenson Wouters in the seventh. Saint Louis scratched across single runs in the second and fourth innings, stranding multiple runners and hitting into three double plays to stall rallies.

The game turned decisively in the top of the eighth. Dayton sent 14 batters to the plate against three Saint Louis pitchers, transforming a tight contest into a blowout. The inning began with Mark Rutherford being hit by a pitch and Carpenter singling. Danny MacDougall then delivered an RBI single, which was compounded by a Saint Louis error, allowing a second run to score.

After a walk loaded the bases, Colin Lynch was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Stang followed with an RBI single, Jason Bello drew a bases-loaded walk, and Wouters and Carpenter each added run-scoring singles. When the inning finally ended, Dayton had an insurmountable 12-2 advantage.

Stang led the Flyers’ offensive onslaught, going 4 for 6 with a home run and three RBIs. Carpenter also collected four hits, driving in two runs. Wouters finished 3 for 6 with three RBIs. The heart of the Dayton order — Stang, Bello, Wouters and Carpenter — combined for 12 of the team’s 16 hits.

Saint Louis out-hit Dayton early but could not capitalize, finishing with 12 hits. Ian Blazier went 4 for 5 with an RBI for the Billikens. Max Deutsch added two hits and an RBI.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly the top of the eighth inning. What had been a competitive, two-run game was completely dismantled by Dayton’s relentless offensive explosion. The Flyers batted around, capitalized on free passes and errors, and delivered key hits with runners in scoring position, effectively ending any hope of a Saint Louis comeback and setting a dominant tone for the remainder of the doubleheader.

Dayton starter J. Whiteside earned the win, allowing two runs on nine hits over six-plus innings. Saint Louis starter N. Andrunas took the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.