May 7, 2009

Box Score

BRONX, N.Y. - Saint Louis' Nicki Jost hit a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to tie the game, but Charlotte rallied for the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth to claim a 3-2 win over the Billikens (22-32) Thursday at the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship at Bahoshy Field in Bronx, N.Y.

The 49ers (33-14) took the first lead of the game with a two-out rally in the second inning. After two quick outs, SLU starter Kelcie Matesa issued back-to-back walks after full counts to Keri Palma and Jaime West. Then Lorena Vela knocked a single up the middle to drive in Palma for the first run of the game. Vela helped Charlotte increase its lead to two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Palma drew a leadoff walk to start the inning and went to second on West's sacrifice bunt. Palma advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on Vela's sacrifice fly to left field for the 2-0 edge.

Saint Louis had just two hits and four baserunners prior to the seventh inning. Katie Johns drew a walk in the second, but pinch runner Rachel O'Connell's sacrifice attempt. Then O'Connell was thrown out trying to steal second for the third out. Johns hit a one-out single up the middle in the fifth but was stranded on first after Charlotte starter Emily Jeffery retired the next two batters.

The Billikens caught up with the 49ers in the top of the seventh. Nicki Jost sent a 2-2 offering high over the fence in left field, for her third home run of the season, to knot the game at two runs apiece. However, Charlotte came right back and put their first three runners on base after West hit a leadoff double to left center, Vela was hit by a pitch and all runners were safe on Jenny Rumbles' fielder's choice. Reliever Emma DeKalb struck out the next batter before Whitney Williams singled through the right side to plate the game-winning run.

Stacy Gillette (7-14) entered in relief. Gillette suffered the loss after giving up one run on four hits and two walks while fanning one. Jost paced the Billiken offense, which had five hits, with two RBIs.

SLU will play an elimination game tomorrow at 2 p.m. (CT) against winner of the 10 a.m. (CT) contest between No. 4 seed Fordham and No. 5 seed Saint Joseph's.