April 23, 2006
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
ST. LOUIS - Behind the pitching of Lorena Floccari, Saint Louis managed to squeak out a win against the Atlantic 10 Conference leading UMass Minutewomen in softball action at The Billiken Sports Center on Sunday. Floccari limited UMass to just three hits to lead the Bills to a 1-0 win in the first game of the twinbill. The UMass bats, however, returned to form in the nightcap as the Minutewomen powered their way to a 13-3 win in six innings.
As well as Floccari was throwing in the first game, UMass' Brandice Balschmitter was just as effective. She allowed only one hit, which came off the bat of AshLeigh Williams in the sixth inning, and struck out nine. But it was an unearned run in the top of the first that doomed UMass.
Jill Pursell was hit by a pitch to lead off the game, then advanced to second on an Ashlee Heady sacrifice bunt. Pursell advanced to third on a passed ball to set up the eventual game-winning run. With two outs, another Balschmitter pitch got by the catcher and Pursell was able to beat the catcher-to-pitcher relay by sliding under the tag.
With some help from the defense, Floccari retired the side in the final three innings to prevent UMass from getting on the board. In the seventh, left fielder Logan Justice made an over-the-shoulder catch just in front of the fence to prevent a UMass extra-base hit.
UMass made up for its lack of offensive output in the first game by posting a 13 run, 18 hit performance in the second. Amanda Morin went 3-for-5 with four RBI, and Lauren Proctor turned in a 4-for-4, three RBI performance. Lesley Ferrara also had four hits for the Minutewomen.
Trailing 10-0, SLU got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the fifth. Jody Herbert led off the inning after connecting for her second hit of the game. Jess Burns reached on a fielder's choice, then advanced to second on a Heady single. Williams then stroked a single up the middle that was misplayed by the centerfielder, allowing Heady and Burns to score and allowing Williams to advance all the way to third. Williams later scored on a Floccari single to cut the UMass lead to 10-3.
But UMass scored three more in the top of the sixth and shutdown the Billikens in the bottom of the sixth to win by way of the eight-run rule. Jenna Busa got the win for UMass after going five innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits. Ashley Levan was tagged with the loss for SLU after going 3-1/3 innings and allowing six runs on nine hits.
With its win in game one, SLU broke its season-long eight game losing streak and is now 16-27 overall and 7-9 in A-10 play. UMass improves to 17-13 overall and a league best 12-2 in conference play.
SLU continues its eight-game homestand on Tue., Apr. 25, when they entertain Evansville at The BSC. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 3 p.m.
