May 6, 2001

Box Score

Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers scored an unearned run in the bottom of the 11th inning to edge the Saint Louis softball team in the regular season finale in Charlotte, N.C. The Billikens out hit the host 49ers but could not push across a run.

The Billikens received a leadoff double by Adrie Bogaars in the second inning but she became the first of nine Billikens left on base. Billiken pitcher Heather Hubert singled in the fifth inning and eventually moved over to third. But SLU could not drive in the run with two outs as the game remained scoreless. The Billikens had another golden opportunity in the seventh but stranded two runners in the frame.

In the tenth inning, Meredith Henry singled and Jamie Hayden followed by reaching on a Charlotte error and the Bills had runners at second and third with one out. Unfortunately, SLU was kept off the board by 49er pitcher Betsy Thompson. Beth Puttcamp tripled leading off the 11thh inning, but was thrown out at home by Charlotte standout first baseman Stephanie Dunlap. In Charlotte's half of the 11th, Jennifer Herzig reached on an error and then Vikki Van Dam reached on a fielder's choice. After a sac bunt, Susan Coyle hit a ball back up the middle which Hubert fielded and nailed Herzig at the plate. But, Kiley Scott singled to center to score Van Dam with the winning run.

Hubert was splendid for the Billikens and allowed just four hits over 10-2/3 innings. Thompson matched zeros with Hubert and struck out seven in 11 innings of work.

The Billikens end the regular season with a school-record for wins and are 25-32 overall, 5-16 in Conference USA. The Charlotte 49ers are 16-31, 2-19 in the league. The Billikens take part in the 2001 Conference USA Tournament, presented by U of L Healthcare from May 10-12 in Louisville, Ky.