Feb. 27, 2000

Clarksville, Tenn. - The Saint Louis University softball team just fell short on Sunday as they dropped a pair of one-run games at Austin Peay. The Lady Govs tallied a run in the bottom of the sixth for a 3-2 victory in game one and held off a furious Billiken comeback in game two 6-5.

In game one, Austin Peay used two singles and stolen base to grab an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. APSU took advantage of two SLU errors in the bottom of the fifth and plated another run for a 2-0 margin. The Billikens came back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Jamie Hayden began the inning with a single and Beth Yagge drilled a two-run homer to deep center field.

However, a leadoff triple in the bottom of the sixth followed by a sac fly to center pushed across the winning run. Kristin Rossi worked six innings and struckout three batters for the Billikens.

In game two, Saint Louis was down 6-1 before mounting a strong comeback. Austin Peay sent seven batters to the plate and used two hits, a stolen base and a SLU error to grab a 2-0 lead after one inning of play. The Billikens got one run back as Meredith Henry singled and reached second on a Katie Duffin fielder's choice. Erin Jeffrey singled to load the bases and Jennifer Messmer drove in Henry with an RBI single.

Austin Peay went ahead 3-1 but Beth Yagge made an outstanding defensive play to nail a runner at the plate to end the second inning. The Lady Govs strung together three hits and used a SLU error for two runs in the third for a 5-1 margin. In the fifth, Austin Peay loaded the bases with no outs, but Denise Setchfield came on in relief on Jennifer Riva and allowed only one run in a difficult situation.

Down 6-1, the Billikens mounted a big sixth inning. Meredith Henry drew a walk to begin the rally. After a line out, Erin Jeffrey singled and Jennifer Messmer singled to load the bases. Bridget Fletcher then drilled a grand slam home run to pull the Billikens to 6-5. Beth Puttcamp followed with a single and stole second. However, the Bills could not score Puttcamp.

Setchfield kept Austin Peay off the board in the bottom of the sixth setting SLU up for one late rally. Henry had an infield single with one out and moved into scoring position by stealing second. However, Henry was stranded there as Austin Peay escaped with the 6-5 decision.

SLU pounded out a season-high 10 hits but could not overcome four defensive errors. Jennifer Riva worked four innings and struckout two while Setchfield pitched two innings in relief and also earned two strikeouts.

The Billikens fall to 2-2 on the season while Austin Peay improves to 2-7.

-SLU-