April 29, 2007
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis used timely hitting and effective pitching in sweeping Saint Joseph's in an Atlantic 10 Conference softball doubleheader Sunday afternoon at The Billiken Sports Center.
In game one, SLU seniors Allison Appenfeller and Christy Ernst delivered in the clutch and produced a three-run eighth inning to vault the Billikens to a 6-5 victory. In game two, senior Jill Pursell's two-run double backed a complete game by freshman starter Stacy Gillette as the Bills clinched the sweep with a 3-1 victory.
The wins push the Billikens to 25-30 overall and 10-7 in the A-10. Winners of three of their last four conference games, the Billikens have assured themselves of a spot in the A-10 Tournament in two weeks in Amherst, Mass. It will be the first postseason tournament for the Billikens since the 2001 squad earned a spot in the Conference USA Tournament.
In game one, the Billikens trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth before a pair of seniors delivered the win. With runners on second and third with one out, Ernst tied the game when she sent reliever Dani Gonzales' pitch right back up the middle for a two-run single. A few batters later, Appenfeller knocked in Ernst for the game winner with a single to right field.
The Hawks took advantage of pair of Billiken miscues to stake an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Leading off, Carly Kinkler was hit by a pitch. After a groundout, Kelsey Moir successfully laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the throw to first grazed off the fielder's glove to allow Kinkler to score the unearned run.
The SJU lead did not last for long, however. Leading off the bottom of the third, Appenfeller ripped a towering shot over the left field fence for her third home run of the season.
After Brook Darreff put SJU up 2-1 with a solo home run in the top of the fourth, the back-and-forth action continued in the bottom half of the inning as the Billikens grabbed a 3-2 lead. Ernst led off with walk, then circled the bases when sophomore Annie Dillinger launched a two-run home run to left center.
An unfortunate bounce allowed the Hawks to knot things up in the top of the sixth, which ultimately sent the game to extra innings. Erika Rosenwinkel hit a ball to third that was snagged by freshman Brittney Schmidt, but her throw sailed over the first baseman's head and she advanced to second. Gonzales then laid down a bunt, but the catcher's throw glanced off Gonzales running toward first. The ball slid into right field and allowed Rosenwinkel to score the game-tying tally.
Before SLU's game-ending rally, the Hawks took a 5-3 lead. Rosenwinkel reached on a fielder's choice, then advanced on a single by Gonzales. Nielson then drove in the go-ahead run, and Gonzales scored from second on a base hit by Brooke Darreff.
SLU starter Ashley Levan pitched 7-1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits. She struck out 15, the second highest total of her career, and walked just two. She did not figure into the decision as junior Lorena Floccari retired the final to batters in the top of the eighth to pick up the victory.
In game two, the Billikens benefited from strong defensive plays from sophomore Jill Pursell's for the team lead.
Pursell drove in a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Appenfeller led off with a single, then was pinch-ran for by Jess Burns. Pinch hitter Jenna Renner walked, then Pursell ripped a double over the right fielder's head to plate both base runners. The double was Pursell's 13th of the season, which ties SLU's single season record in that category.
Meanwhile, Gillette held the Hawks in check until SJU plated a run in the top of the seventh. She pitched all seven innings for her third win of the season. She allowed just four hits and struck out three.
Appenfeller's home run in the first game was the Billikens' 20th of the season, which is the most in a single season at SLU. Both the 2002 and 2006 squads hit 19 home runs in a season. In addition, the Billikens' 25 victories this season ties the single-season record, which was established in 2001.
Appenfeller, Ernst, Pursell and Renner were honored before the game in a Senior Day ceremony. They all had at least one hit on the day and combined for eight hits and six RBIs on the afternoon.
The Billikens return to action on Tuesday in a non-conference doubleheader against UT Martin. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at The Billiken Sports Center. They conclude the regular season next Saturday at A-10 foe George Washington.
