The Billiken softball team dropped three of four games in back-to-back double headers last weekend against A-10 foes Rhode Island and UMass.
The Billikens entered the weekend with a 13-15 record, which fell to 14-18 and 1-3 in A-10 conference play after the weekend.
The Billikens started the weekend with an 8-3 loss to the Rhode Island Rams.
The Billikens were able to get on the board first after Jessica Buschjost drew a lead-off walk, stole second and scored on an Alyson Brand two-out double to left center.
The Rams responded in the top of the third however, putting up two runs in the inning to grab the lead from the Billikens. The Billikens were able to get the run back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double to left center by Laura Bohning.
The game unraveled for the Billikens in the fifth however, as an error by the Billikens, wild pitch, hit by pitch, and a Rhode Island single were followed by a no-outs grand slam by Rhode Island’s Kelly Coker over the outfield wall to put the rams ahead 6-2 break open the tie game.
Rhode Island concluded their scoring in the seventh with a two-run homer by Stacey Fox.
Hannah Huebbe (7-6) was given the loss for the Billikens, surrendering six runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks, striking out five.
The second game of the double-header with Rhode Island was set to begin Saturday but was started Friday after the first game due to weather concerns.
The Billikens took a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning when the game was called until Saturday.
When the game resumed, Rhode Island tied the game with a two-run homer for Courtney Prendergast in the top of the fifth.
The Billikens immediately retook the lead with two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning.
Alyson Brand led the Billikens’ offense going a perfect 3-for-3 with 3 RBI’s. Hannah Huebbe picked up the win in relief, allowing one hit with one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings of work.
After Friday and Saturday’s split double-header, the Billikens took on UMass on Sunday in a more traditional double-header. The Billikens were shutout in both games, losing 5-0 and 8-0 respectively, as they were unable to overcome the dominant pitching of UMass senior Sara Plourde.
The Minutemen started the scoring in the second inning, tallying one run, and were able to take advantage of Billiken errors in the third inning, scoring three runs fueled by a two base error.
The Minutemen capped off the scoring in the fourth when pitcher Plourde sent the first pitch of the inning over the outfield fence to bring the score to 5-0.
Plourde stifled the Billikens all-game, pitching one hit ball for seven innings while recording 11 strikeouts.
The next game was more of the same for the Billikens and Plourde, as the UMass pitcher continued her domination of the Billikens, surrendering just two hits and recording nine strikeouts in the shortened five-inning game.
The Minutemen scored in every inning except the second, capped off by a five-run fourth highlighted by Plourde’s second homerun of the day.
Julian Austin took the loss for the Billikens, allowing seven runs (four earned) on six hits in 3 2/3 innings.
The Billikens are in action this Saturday, March 31 as they visit St. Bonaventure for another double-header.
