The softball team is in the midst of an eight-game homestand, and sophomore infielder Brittney Schmidt said she hopes the Billikens can use these games to turn their season around.
After dropping both games of a double header against the University of Missouri on Wednesday, April 9, the Billikens’ record stands at 15-23-1, but they are fourth in the Atlantic 10 standings, with a 6-4 record in league play. With 10 conference games remaining this season, the Bills are looking to secure a high enough seed to make the conference tournament.
“As long as we make it into the tournament, we’ll be happy, whether it’s first or sixth,” Schmidt said. “The thing that’s different about this year is that everyone in the conference is beating everyone else, so everyone has a good shot to get in.”
In game one of the double-header against Mizzou, the Bills put up six runs in the first three innings. The Tigers responded by plating the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning on a home run by designated hitter Jen Bruck.
Freshman Kristin Nicoletti led the team in hitting with a 2-for-4 effort. Sophomore pictcher Stacy Gilette struck out four batters and walked just one in four innings of relief.
“We did a good job finding the gaps in their defense,” Schmidt said. “In the first game, we also had some stolen bases that were crucial.”
In game two, the Billikens were unable to execute offensively nor defensively. The Tigers piled on run after run, scoring 14 times in the first four innings, including seven runs off of Billiken starter Lorena Floccari.
The Billikens couldn’t find the same stroke that their opponents did. Freshman outfielder Allison Hopke was the only player to record a hit, going 2-for-2 in the game. The game ended 14-0 in five innings.
Schmidt said she was impressed with the Tigers’ offensive output: “Hit after hit just kept coming,” Schmidt said.
“We were good defensively with only one error. We just couldn’t put it together on offense.”
Because of her efforts, junior infielder Rachel Heet was honored as the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week for the second time this season. She is one of three Billikens to receive A-10 honors this season, along with freshman pitcher Erin Kelly and outfielder Kristin Nicoletti. Heet is batting .333 this season and leads the team in hits, doubles, triples, RBIs and total bases.
The remainder of the homestand for the Billikens includes doubleheaders against Charlotte, Eastern Illinois and SEMO. Charlotte (23-20) comes to town on Saturday, April 12.
