PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's scored three runs in the opening inning and never looked back as the La Salle University baseball team dropped its series opener at Hank DeVincent Field on Thursday, 5-1.

The Hawks (10-11, 2-3 A-10) jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind a home run by Cole Stetzar and pushed the advantage to 5-0 after five innings.

La Salle (5-18, 0-4 A-10) came through with a run in the fifth on an RBI single by junior Ben Faso, bringing home redshirt sophomore Dillon Malandro.

Senior Austin Constantini hit a leadoff double in the first inning, and the Explorers threatened with runners on base in eight of the nine innings. But La Salle left ten stranded, and the Hawks secured their early lead.

Malandro went 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Explorers offensively. Junior Brian Tagoe and senior Brian Dudeck each had a hit in the game as well.

Freshman Michael Jenkins started and pitched 4.2 innings, striking out four while scattering three hits and five runs in the defeat. Junior Mike Anthony and freshman Colin Scanlon pitched 4.1 shutout innings of relief, combining for four strikeouts while allowing only three hits.

The two squads will meet again at La Salle on Friday at 3 p.m.