ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Interstat) — Dominic Ruggiero pitched 4 2/3 innings of hitless relief as Richmond shut out Saint Louis 2-0 on Friday afternoon at Billiken Sports Center. The Spiders improved to 32-22 overall while the Billikens fell to 20-33 in the Atlantic 10 contest.

Ruggiero allowed no hits, no runs and struck out two before giving way to Jackson Hinchliffe, who tossed four hitless innings with one strikeout. Justin Gay recorded the final out with a strikeout. The trio combined to blank Saint Louis, which managed six hits but failed to score. Richmond’s bullpen held the Billikens hitless over the final 4 1/3 innings.

Richmond pushed across its only runs in the top of the eighth. Noah Haught singled down the left-field line to drive in a run, and Evan Wilson doubled to right for another RBI. Haught finished 1 for 2 with an RBI; Wilson went 1 for 4.

Saint Louis starter Ben Cherico pitched eight innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out eight, but took the loss. Ian Halverson went 3 for 4 and Joey Canzoni added two hits for the Billikens, who outhit Richmond 6-3.

The teams conclude the series Saturday.