SULPHUR — With an inconsistent start at the plate leading the St. Louis coaching staff debating whether to shift to a small-ball style of play, the Saints lineup made their case to keep swinging away Friday, beating Airline 10-2 at the Sulphur tournament.

The Saints (5-9) produced innings with four and five runs to show their explosiveness. In the four-run second inning, each of the runs scored with two outs.

The Saints loaded the bases with an infield single, hit batsman and fielding error to start the inning. After a pop-up and strikeout, William Millican delivered a two-run single to right, scoring Thomas Watson and Aidan Walsh. Jake LaRoca followed with a double to score Ryan Baron and Millican.

“We’ve been debating on whether we want to play small ball and manufacture runs or let the boys have fun and swing,” St. Louis head coach Matt Fontenot said. “We’ve kind of been in a funk, but giving them opportunities to get big hits. It was good to see them get those and have fun today.”

The Saints blew the game open by scoring five runs in the fifth inning. Reid Snider had a two-run single, Watson drove in a run with a single and Baron hit a sacrifice fly to center. James Reina scored on a balk.

Carson Carey singled and scored on an error by Airline (6-5).

Saints pitcher Hank Milligan allowed one run in six innings.

“He just attacks,” Fontenot said of Milligan. “He is not scared of anybody or anything. He’s a fullback, a wrestler; he loves to compete and attack people.”

Fontenot said the Saints pitching staff has been a constant while the offense looks to find its way.

“Our pitching has really carried us,” he said. “There have been a few games where we have been stretched thin on the mound, but we throw strikes and compete.

“Our offense has four college commits. You have to think at some point those guys will cut it loose and we’ll start scoring. I think they are on the verge of doing that.”