The tides have turned. The Saint Louis University softball team is on a roll, and it is coming down hard on all that dare cross its path.
The Billikens’ latest victims were the 49ers of UNC Charlotte, who proved to be no contest for the Billikens as SLU completed its first-ever three-game sweep in conference play. Sunday’s 2-0 win was the Bills sixth straight victory, improving their season record to 20-19. SLU shut out the 49ers in all three games this past weekend.
“We had high expectations for this season. When we started losing, it was frustrating,” junior pitcher Nicole Bohnenstiehl said. “It is definitely nice to be on the winning side of things now. That is where we should be.”
Bohnenstiehl continued her impressive duties on the mound Sunday by pitching the three-hit shutout, while the Billikens displayed all the offense they needed in their half of the first inning.
Erin Jeffery started the game with a single to left field. After being sacrificed to second, Bohnenstiehl sliced a double past Charlotte fielders to score Jeffery.
After Adrie Bogaars singled, Janet Venorsky doubled, scoring Bohnenstiehl and putting the Billikens on top for good.
Bohnenstiehl did not allow a hit until Autumn Lawson’s single in the top of the fifth inning.
She struck out 10 batters on the afternoon, as the Bills out-hit Charlotte 8-3.
In recognition of her performance, Bohnenstiehl was named Conference USA pitcher of the week. Last week, she went 4-0 and struck out 37 batters.
“Our team played great defense all weekend. The pitcher can’t do that by herself. Catchers called good plays and people came up big at the plate. Everything worked out so well for us,” Bohnenstiehl said.
Thanks to the sweep of the 49ers, SLU improved its conference record to 4-12.
The Bills’ sixth straight victory tied a school record.
“To break records like we have all season is great. To win games, especially to sweep a team in the conference, is really special. I am proud to be a part of the team,” Bohnenstiehl said.
Saturday proved just as dominant for the Billikens, as they shut down Charlotte 1-0 and 3-0 in a twin bill at the Billiken Athletic Center. Sophomore Heather Hubert once again took control on the mound to earn a hard-fought victory in the first game.
The Bills finally broke a scoreless tie in the bottom half of the sixth with some precise bunting and disciplined base running.
Freshman Adrienne May began the inning with a bunt single and Jeffery followed with a bunt of her own.
Kerri Higgins helped the cause with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. Bohnenstiehl hit a grounder to second and Denise Atmar grabbed the shot and threw home.
May was able to avoid the tag at home.
The Billikens were up 1-0, and the lead would hold.
The sixth inning turned out to be the breaking point for Charlotte once again in game two.
The Billikens broke a scoreless tie thanks to an RBI single by Beth Yagge, scoring Jessica Saucedo, who was pinch running for Bohnenstiehl.
Venorsky kept the inning alive with a shot to left field that grazed the left fielder’s glove, scoring two more Billikens.
