The Saint Louis University softball team spent its spring Break in Birmingham, Ala., and Kissimmee, Fla., playing 13 games in seven days. The team amassed a 6-7 record during that span.
The Billikens opened the Alabama Central Credit Union Bulldog Bash on March 10 with a 4-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Senior AshLeigh Williams’ two-run single in the fifth inning gave her team a 4-1 lead. Sophomore starting pitcher Ashley Levan allowed three runs on four hits, with six strikeouts in 4 and 2/3 innings of work. With ULM threatening in the fifth inning, sophomore Lorena Floccari entered the game and got the Billikens out of the jam.
She allowed just one hit over the last 2 and 1/3 innings and recorded her first save of the year.
The Billikens lost their final four games in Birmingham, three of which were by one run. In the final game, which was played on March 12, SLU dropped a 3-2 decision to host Samford University. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh, senior Ashlee Heady led off the inning with a single before Williams blasted a two-run, game-tying homer to left centerfield that sent the game into extra innings. Samford responded with a run in the top of the eighth to take a 3-2 lead. The Billikens failed to score in the bottom half of the inning, despite advancing a runner to third with no outs.
“I definitely think it’s harder to swallow when you lose by one run,” Heady said. “I thought we were going to be able to turn it on, but we couldn’t get over the hump.”
The Billikens fared much better in Kissimmee, winning five out of eight games in four days. The Billikens lost 2-1 to Cleveland State before winning 3-2 against Columbia later that same day. Trailing Cleveland State 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the Billikens rallied to load the bases but managed to score just one run. Against Columbia, Levan pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out seven. Junior Allison Appenfeller had the game-winning RBI single that plated senior Logan Justice in the sixth inning.
The Billikens followed a one-run loss with a one-run victory the following day as well, losing 1-0 to Wagner in nine innings before hanging on for a 5-4 victory against Army.
The Billikens managed just three hits against Wagner, two by Heady and one by Justice. Floccari allowed just four hits in 8 and 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking none.
She has been on the losing end of all seven of the Billikens’ one-run losses.
“She’s having a rough time, but she knows she’s pitching well,” Heady said. “Her record does not reflect how well she’s pitching.”
The Billikens came out swinging against Army, scoring all five of their runs in the first inning. With SLU leading 5-4, Floccari’s reliever, Levan, held the Black Knights scoreless for the final 2 and 2/3 innings. Floccari notched her second save of the season, and in doing so, tied former Billiken Nichole Bohnenstiehl for first all-time in saves. She pitched 11 shutout innings on the day.
SLU beat Fairfield 2-1 last Thursday before dropping another game to Cleveland State. The Billikens took advantage of five Fairfield errors to plate two unearned runs.
Floccari pitched a complete game, allowing one run on six hits. SLU trailed Cleveland State 2-1 going into the final inning, but the Vikings erupted for six runs and put the game out of reach. The Billikens responded with two runs in the bottom half of the seventh, but fell 8-3.
The Billikens celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by sweeping a double-header against Bucknell. Williams’ three RBIs helped propel the Billikens to a 6-1 victory in the first game, while junior Christy Ernst and Heady each drove in two runs to lead the Billikens to a 10-2 victory in the second game.
Heady attributes the team’s turnaround to being more aggressive at the plate.
“We had a team meeting and talked about our close losses,” she said. “We wanted to attack the ball. Our defense has been solid, but hitting has been a concern.”
Saint Louis (7-12) will look to continue its winning ways this weekend, as the Billikens play in their first Atlantic 10 game this weekend against Temple on Friday at 2 p.m.
The Billikens have an off day on Saturday before playing St. Joseph’s on Sunday at 11 a.m. Both games will be played in Philadelphia.
