After finishing out last year 21-18, the best record the Saint
Louis University softball team had seen since 1987, the team is
back again and ready to play.

The Billikens began the 2004 season with a tournament in Tenn.
where they finished with a 3-2 record. On the first day of play the
Billikens endured a 7-0 loss to East Tennessee State, then went on
to defeat Oakland 8-7 and finished out the day with a 3-2 loss to
the University of Tennessee-Martin. The team came out strong and
ready to play on the second day, narrowly defeating both Indiana
State 3-2 and Indiana Purdue-Fort Worth in a come from behind win
in nine innings, 8-7.

Sophomore AshLeigh Williams made a significant contribution last
weekend, leading the team with a .375 batting average, including
knocking in the first runs of the Billiken season with a grand slam
in the second inning against Oakland. Another huge factor in the
Billikens’ first three wins came in the form of phenomenal
pitching. Freshman pitcher Elizabeth Nielsen began her college
softball career with three wins in three games, including nine
strike-outs against ISU and hitting the game winning double.

This weekend the Billikens take part in a tournament at the
University of Tulsa where they will face five different teams.
Beginning on Friday the team will take on Texas Tech and Tulsa, who
stands at 9-4 with a chance of moving into the Top 25. Centenary,
8-7, and Drake, 0-0, will be the Billikens opponents on Saturday.
The UAB Blazers will finish off the weekend.

The Blazers won their first game of the season, but then fell in
their last six games.