March 17, 2006
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
Kissimmee, Fla. - Saint Louis won back-to-back games for the second time this season after a doubleheader sweep against Bucknell in the Billikens' final day at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. AshLeigh Williams' three RBI powered the Bills to a 6-1 win in the first game, and Christy Ernst and Ashlee Heady each drove in two runs to help the Billikens to a 10-2 win in the nightcap.
Saint Louis (7-12) jumped on top early in the first game. Jill Pursell led off the inning with a walk, and Ernst reached on a fielder's choice. Ernst advanced to third on a Heady single, and eventually scored when Williams singled to second base.
Bucknell (3-17) answered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the first after SLU starter Lorena Floccari allowed three singles.
The Billikens took the lead for good in the top of the third after Heady doubled home Ernst, who had earlier reached on a Bucknell error. SLU would add four runs over the next three innings, which included a two-run single from Williams, to take the commanding 6-1 lead.
Meanwhile, Floccari limited the Bisons to only one run on seven hits in five innings. Erica May came on in the fifth and allowed only one hit in two innings of work.
In the second game of the twinbill, SLU fell behind early but rallied for its first five-inning win of the year.
SLU starter Ashley Levan ran into trouble in the top of the first after allowing two Bucknell RBI doubles.
But it wouldn't take long for the Billikens to answer. They pulled to within one after Williams singled home Pursell, who reached on a single, in the bottom of the first.
SLU then exploded for four runs in the second. Rachel Heet and Allison Appenfeller both singled. Heet came around to score after Jess Burns reached on an error, and Appenfeller and Burns both scored on an Ernst double. The Bills rounded out the scoring in the inning after Ernst stole home as part of a double steal.
After a scoreless third inning, SLU plated two more runs in the fourth thanks to an RBI from Kara Sell and a Bucknell defensive miscue.
The Billikens clinched the game via a mercy rule in the fifth after Heady smacked a two-run double and Justice drove in a run by way of a single.
Levan settled down after the first inning and allowed no runs on three hits over the final four innings. She struck out eight batters in only five innings of work.
SLU ended the Rebel Spring Games with a 5-3 record. The Billikens return to action next Fri., Mar. 24, when they open Atlantic 10 Conference play at Temple in Philadelphia. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m. (CT).
