Feb. 18, 2007
Box Score
HAMMOND, La. - Ball State smashed four home runs to account for all its runs in a 5-1 victory over Saint Louis in the final game of the Lion Softball Scramble on Sunday. Sophomore shortstop Rachel Heet had two hits and senior outfielder Jill Pursell registered an RBI for the second straight game for the Billikens, who fall to 0-5 on the season.
Saint Louis threatened in the top of the first but was unable to take advantage of a prime opportunity. Pursell, who has hit safely in each of SLU's first five games, led off the contest with a single, then advanced to third on a double by freshman outfielder Nicki Jost. With runners on second and third and one out, Ball State hurler Amanda Pick pitched out of the jam after getting a strikeout and a groundout.
The live bats for Ball State were on display in the bottom of the first. Allie Pennock led off with a single, then scored on Kelli Jeziorski's two-run home run off of SLU starter Lorena Floccari. Later in the inning, Taylor Yancey made it 3-0 when she corked a Floccari pitch over the fence for the Cardinals' second home run of the game.
After a scoreless second inning for both squads, Ball State plated another run via a homer in the third. With two outs, Stephanie Talarek sent an 0-2 pitch over the fences to stretch Ball State's lead to 4-0 through three innings.
The Cardinals tacked on another run in the sixth on a solo home run by Elizabeth Milian to make it 5-0.
Meanwhile, Pick was cruising through SLU's lineup. She retired the Billikens' in order in three innings, and ended up scattering four hits over seven innings while striking out seven.
It wasn`t until the top of the seventh that the Billikens broke into the scoring column. Pinch hitter Stacy Gillette drew a walk, then advanced to second on Jody Herbert's sacrifice bunt. After advancing on a wild pitch, Gillette came around to score on a Pursell groundout. Heet then smacked a two-out single, but Pick got a groundout to seal the win for Ball State.
Floccari was tagged with the loss after pitching three innings and allowing four runs on six hits. Ashley Levan pitched three solid innings of relief, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out six.
The Billikens return to action on Wednesday in a doubleheader against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Should the game be played outside, the two team's will meet in the afternoon. SLU and Mizzou also have the option of playing a night game indoors if the weather does not cooperate.
