March 15, 2007
Mississippi Valley State Box Score | Columbia Box Score
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - After a nail-biting 4-3 victory over Mississippi Valley State to start the day, the Saint Louis Billikens (10-13) cruised to an 8-2 victory over Columbia on Thursday to secure its first two-win day at the Rebel Spring Games. Junior Ashley Levan established a career-high with 12 strikeouts in the complete game victory against Columbia, and junior pitcher Lorena Floccari accomplished the same feat with 11 Ks against Mississippi Valley.
Against Columbia, it was a seven-run second inning that allowed the Billikens to cruise to victory. After the Lions plated a run off of Levan in the top of the second, the Billikens managed to get that run back and then some in their half of the frame. Freshman Kinsley Kelley reached on an error, then advanced to third on an Annie Dillinger double.
Senior Allison Appenfeller successfully executed a squeeze play to plate Kelley and knot things up 1-1. Freshman Brittney Schmidt walked to load the bases, and junior Jody Herbert followed with another walk to plate another run.
With the bases still juiced, senior Jill Pursell drove in two with a single to rightfield. Sophomore Rachel Heet followed with a two-run double to stretch SLU's lead to 6-1. Freshman Nicki Jost completed the seven-run inning with a single down the right field line to plate Heet.
With a six-run cushion, Levan cruised through the Columbia lineup, allowing just three hits and one more run the rest of the way. She fanned a career-high 12 batters, eclipsing her previous high of 11, which was accomplished several times in her career.
Pursell finished with a 3-for-4, two RBI day at the plate. Heet went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Senior Christy Ernst was 1-for-3 with an RBI double in the fourth inning.
Jost and Ernst each drove in a run against Mississippi Valley State to support Floccari's best outing of the season. She scattered just four hits while allowing two earned runs. She fanned 11 batters and walked just two.
The Billikens face Bucknell at 10 a.m. tomorrow, then wrap up the Rebel Spring Games after a 2 p.m. matchup against Colgate.
