The SLU softball squad lost in a three-game series to Rhode Island on April 1-2 to drop to 3-5 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The Bills came in hot in the first inning when senior infielder Alex Nickel sent a home run into the stands for the first hit of the game. Senior outfielder Mackenzie Peter and junior infielder Allie Macfarlane both connected, but a double play from the Rams put the inning away at a 1-0 Billiken lead.
Rhode Island finally answered the lead with a strong third inning, scoring a whopping seven runs against SLU. They tacked on another run in the fourth inning to solidify the lead.
In the sixth inning, Nickel refused to lose and hit another homer to right center field to help SLU regain some confidence. Two singles from Buckles and Peter, a walk from Macfarlane and a sacrifice fly from junior in- fielder Alyssa Tarquinio gave SLU another point on the board, but they were unable to make a comeback despite a successful sixth inning. Rhode Island took the victory, 8-3.
Nickel tied the SLU career record of 150 runs scored, and she hit 26 home runs, just three away from the school record. Peter single twice, Buckles and junior outfielder Josie Knesel both had singles. Freshman pitcher Kaylea Chappelle only allowed one run and two hits in her relief innings.
SLU put up more of a fight in the second game, losing 3-2 to the Rams on April 2. The Rams were first to the board in this matchup, scoring two runs in the third inning. Peter answered in the fourth inning with a home run off the first pitch of the inning. Rhode Island widened the gap in the fifth inning, pulling ahead, 3-1.
In the sixth inning, the game appeared to be swinging back in SLU’s favor. Macfarlane scored off a series of hits and a throwing error from the Rams, but that was all the comeback the Bills could muster. They dropped the game, 3-2.
Sophomore infielder Mackenzie Lawson registered two hits, and Tarquinio also earned a hit in the game.
In the final matchup, Rhode Island scored seven runs in the first two innings alone and forced an early conclusion of the game after six innings. SLU lost 10-2.
The Rams earned four runs in the first inning. However, SLU found success in the second inning. Lawson homered to left center to bring in two runs, as Tarquinio earned a spot on base with a single. These runs would be the end of SLU’s offensive streak in this game, as Rhode Island put the nails in the coffin with three runs in the second inning and three more runs in the sixth inning.
Tarquinio tallied two hits. Senior catcher Hailey Weavers and Buckles each tacked on hits as well.
Due to the weather forecast for the April 5 game against Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the game was postponed to April 6 at 4 p.m. in Carbondale, Ill.
After the midweek matchup, SLU will host UMass after a long spell on the road. Games are scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on April 8 and 12 p.m. on April 9 at Billiken Sports Center.
