Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

HAMMOND, La - Saint Louis' offense took too long to get hot as the Billiken softball team fell to host Southeastern Louisiana 9-1 in its third game at the Lion Classic in Hammond, La., on Saturday.

Southeastern Louisiana (8-1) jumped out in front with a run on three hits in the top of the first inning. With one out, the Lions got back-to-back singles from Katie Duhe and Heather Sherrill. Brooke Lockhart then singled to right center to plate the go-ahead run.

The Lions added another tally in the second inning and two runs in the fourth for an early 4-0 advantage. Saint Louis (1-2) ran into trouble again in the fifth as the Lions tacked on three more runs to make it a 7-0 lead. With one on and one out, Kaley Christy singled to left field and Duhe hit an RBI single to centerfield. Sherrill then lifted a two-run single to centerfield for the seven-run margin. The Lions pushed the lead out to 9-1 by scoring twice in the top of the seventh.

The Billikens finally found their offense in the bottom of the fifth. Jenna Polacek then singled through the right side to put a pair of runners on the base paths. Then Rachel O'Connell added a single to left center but pinch runner Caitlin Trevillyan was forced out at second base for the first out. Following a fielder's choice for the second out, Rachel Heet drove in SLU's lone run with a single to left field to cut the deficit to six.

Gillette shouldered the loss for the Bills, allowing four runs on five hits while walking five and fanning one. In relief, Erin Kelly scattered six hits for five runs while walking two and striking out two.

Saint Louis got seven hits from seven different players, while Heet posted the lone RBI.

The Billikens return to action tomorrow at 10 a.m. against Grambling State. Then SLU will face Mississippi Valley State at 12:30 p.m. to complete the tournament.