Over the weekend, the women’s softball team played in the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament. Playing five games in three days, the Billikens ended the tournament with a record of 3-2.
The success of this tournament added to their overall record of 7-4. On the first day of the tournament, the Billikens lost the first game 3-0 to University of Tennessee-Martin. Leading the Billikens in offense was Jessica Buschjost, who went 2-4. Julian Austin (1-1) pitched just under sex innings, allowing five hits, walking one and striking out three.
The Billikens redeemed themselves that evening in a 5-3 win over the host of the tournament, Florida Gulf Coast. Laura Bohning’s three-run homerun in the sixth inning put the Billikens on top.
The Billikens were able to hold on to win the game with great relief pitching by Kelcie Matesa (2-1), who struck out 14 and allowed just four hits and one unearned run. On the second day of the tournament, the Billikens faced yet another double-header.
The Billikens took the first game against Binghamton with a score of 4-3. Alyson Brand hit her third homerun of the season, and the Billikens were able to hold on to a lead with great pitching by Hannah Huebbe (3-1) and starter Austin. Breanna Lockette registered a pinch-hit double as her first collegiate hit.
The second game of the day proved to be more difficult as the Billikens fell to Boston College 5-4. The Billikens held Boston College in a corner until the seventh inning, when Boston College pulled even with a pinch-hit two-run homerun.
Boston College took what proved to be the decisive lead in the eighth inning on an RBI single. Despite the loss, the Billikens had some bright spots, Matesa (2-2) striking out five.
Also, the Billikens managed to knock eight hits and have only one at-bat lead to a strike out. The Billikens ended the tournament strong, with a win over Delaware 4-3. Bohning and Lindsay Friedman each drove in two runs apiece.
Austin also recorded her second win of the season with a solid five innings, and she pitched with six strikeouts and only two earned runs.
The Billikens’ record now stands at 5-1 in one-run games this year as they look ahead to this weekend as they play five games at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament in Woodstock, Ga., including a game against Indiana.
