The Saint Louis University softball team appeared to be getting on the right track. They were just coming off winning a series against UNC Charlotte last weekend. But the Bradley Braves derailed SLU’s momentum train with a two-game sweep yesterday.
The Bills were beaten handily 8-0 in both games. The Bills could only muster a two-game hit total of five.
The first game started out promising as SLU and BU went three innings and only allowed three hits. Then the Braves exploded for eight runs on seven hits and the Bills couldn’t answer.
Riva went four innings and gave up 10 hits and eight earned runs.
The Billikens couldn’t get back on the winning track in the second game, as they were manhandled again. SLU managed to improve in the hit department, as four Billikens racked up singles. However, the runs still didn’t come as SLU posted a doughnut on the scoreboard. The game was called after five innings because of the eight-run mercy rule.
Last weekend the Billikens won their first Conference USA home series ever.
SLU dropped the first game to UNC Charlotte, 3-1, but rebounded to win the second game, 4-3. Jennifer Riva earned her third victory of the year.
The Billikens won the rubber game, 2-1. Beth Yagge scored on a hit by Erin Jeffrey in the ninth, for the victory. Kristin Rossi pitched all nine innings for the Bills and gave up seven hits. She recorded seven strikeouts and gave up two walks.
The Billikens now sit in sixth place in the conference with a 2-4 record and an 8-25 record overall.
The Billikens hope to get back on the winning track as they host Southern Miss April 15-16. The Golden Eagles are ranked 10th in the nation and are second in the conference. They are 39-10 overall and 4-1 in C-USA games.
Courtney Blades leads Southern Miss, with a 30-5 record, a 1.16 ERA, and 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Bills are led by Jeffrey with a .357 batting average and 30 hits. She has a .405 slugging percentage and a .943 fielding percentage.
Rossi leads SLU’s pitching staff, with five victories, and a 2.15 ERA. She also leads the squad, with 61 strikeouts in 107.2 innings pitched.
