The Saint Louis University softball team began its home season on the right foot, sweeping the first team to come into town.

The Billikens faced the University of Tennessee-Martin Tuesday in a doubleheader home opener. The Bills rallied 2-1 in the first game, and 7-1 in the second.

In the first game, UT-Martin was first to score on a walk and two singles. SLU rallied in the sixth inning when Beth Puttcamp stole second base and scored off a Nicole Bohnenstiehl double.

UTM struck back in the top of the seventh by lining up two runners on base, but the Billiken defense did not allow them to make it home.

In the bottom of the seventh, Kerri Higgins began the Billiken run with a single to center. Jamie Hayden followed with a sacrifice bunt, which brought Erin Jeffrey to bat.

Jeffrey brought Higgins home with a single to center field, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of the Bills.

Pitching phenom Bohnenstiehl notched her eighth win of the season and struck out 13 Skyhawk batters.

“Nicole is a smart pitcher. She knows how to throw and works hard,” said coach Jim Molloy.

“Nicole has some good breaking balls and she knows how to use them,” Molloy said.

The righthander has been named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week twice this season. In the last matchup between the Billikens at UT-Martin on March 2, Bohnenstiehl set a school record with 17 strikeouts.

In the second game, UTM again was first to score in the third inning. In the bottom of the third, the Billikens tied the game 1-1 after Puttcamp beat a ball to the shortstop,

Puttcamp stole second, advanced to third after a wild pitch and was brought home when Beth Yagge grounded out to the shortstop on a fielders choice.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning. Adrie Bogaars began the Billiken run with a single to left field.

“Adrie made some things happen last season,” Molloy said.”She should be more patient at the plate and in the field and will contribute a great deal this season.”

Next, Bohnenstiehl doubled to right center. Janet Venorsky drove in two runs with a single down the left-field line, giving the Billikens a 3-1 lead.

Hayden scored two runs after an error by UTM, and Jeffrey notched another RBI with a double.

Pinch hitter Darci Cadiuex hit an RBI single, which would be the last of the runs scored by the Billikens.

Freshman Heather Hubert was on the mound for the Bills for seven innings, striking out eight batters.

The two wins over UT-Martin improved the squad’s record to 12-8. Today, the Billikens will face Wichita State for a doubleheader.

The first game will begin at 3:00 p.m., and the second game at 5:00 p.m.

The Billikens defeated Wichita State 2-0 in their last meeting. Wichita has won five games straight and is currently 11-10.

Saturday, SLU will host South Florida for a doubleheader in their first C-USA matchup.

Last week senior Meredith Henry hit her seventh career homerun to put her as SLU’s all time leaders.