Heading into last weekend, the Saint Louis University softball team had nowhere to go but up after a disappointing week with a split against Bradley University and three straight losses to the Conference USA leader, DePaul. However, last weekend, the Billikens (16-19, 2-7 C-USA) began their upswing with a split against conference rival Louisville (31-13, 6-2 C-USA).
The Bills and the Cardinals met Saturday in Louisville, where the Cards took advantage of their home field in the first game to win 3-1.
“We were coming off some bad games,” said Billiken home run leader Meredith Henry.
“We lost some confidence when playing the better teams, but everyone did well this weekend,” Henry said.
In the first game, Louisville pitcher Tara McClure picked up the win in the first game, allowing just one unearned run.
The Billikens rallied in the second game to win the game 5-4. The Cardinals took the lead early on, and were ahead 2-0 heading into the fourth inning when the Billikens answered back.
In the fourth inning, the Billikens posted two runs to tie the game, and in the fifth inning took the lead.
In the fifth inning, Beth Yagge contributed an RBI single to score Erin Jeffrey and bring the score to 3-2.
“It was a good weekend for hitting. We came together and should have success after this weekend” Henry said.
Louisville rallied in the sixth inning when Keola Calderon and Coleen Coughlin advanced to first and second base.
A sacrifice fly by Melissa Jacobo and a single by Candi Padilla brought in the two home, bringing the score to 4-3.
The Billikens regained the lead once and for all in the top of the seventh inning and kept the Cardinals at bay for the rest of the game.
Billiken pitcher Nicole Bohnenstiehl picked up her 11th win of the season, while Jessica Rak took the loss for Louisville.
Today, the Billikens travel across the state to UMKC to take on the Kangaroos in a doubleheader that was rained out last week. UMKC is currently hitting .235 as a team and had an ERA of 4.04, while the Bills are hitting .224 and have a team ERA of 1.98.
“It should be a good two wins. There’s no way UMKC can beat us as long as everyone plays as well as they can,” Henry said.
This weekend the Billikens will return home for a conference matchup with UAB. The Blazers are hitting .240 with 2.24 ERA. UAB is coming off big wins against South Florida and Southern Miss. In their last meeting, the Blazers took two games against the Bills.
“We should come out on top against UAB,” Henry said.
“The two series should be a good boost for the team, after struggling with tougher teams.”
