Feb. 12, 2011

Akron Box Score

Nicholls State Box Score

Southeastern Louisiana Box Score

HAMMOND, La. - Saint Louis softball won two of three games Saturday at Southeastern Louisiana's Lion Classic, defeating Akron 11-4 and Nicholls State 3-0 before falling 10-8 to host Southeastern Louisiana.

Saint Louis (3-1) overcame a 4-0 deficit against Akron, with seven Billikens recording at least one RBI. The Zips scored two unearned runs in the first inning and added single runs in the second and third off starter Kelcie Matesa.

The Saint Louis offense came to life in the bottom of the third. Jessica Van Nostrand (3-for-3, two RBIs) singled with one out, and Kristin Nicoletti (3-for-4, two RBIs, three runs, two stolen bases) got the Bills on the scoreboard with a single that scored Van Nostrand and moved Buschjost to third.

Following a Nicoletti steal of second, Alyson Brand (1-for-3, two RBIs) scored Buschjost with a sacrifice fly. Laura Bohning (2-for-3, RBI, stolen base) walked, and Kristain Burger's double drove home Nicoletti with the third run of the inning.

The Billikens took the lead with four runs in the fourth. Tori Holland doubled with one out and scored on Van Nostrand's single. Buschjost doubled home Van Nostrand, and Nicoletti made it 6-4 SLU with a single that plated Buschjost. Nicoletti stole third with two outs and scored on Bohning's single.

Doubles by Erin Cejka (2-for-4) and Van Nostrand provided another run in the fifth, and the Bills blew it wide open with three more in the sixth. Brand's double scored Nicoletti, who led off with an infield single. Bohning advanced pinch runner Rachel Faletto to third with a single, then stole second with one out. Faletto scored on a passed ball, and Bohning raced home on a ground ball off the bat of Kelsey Biggs.

Meanwhile, Matesa settled in and shut down the Akron offense, allowing just two hits and one walk over the final four innings. For the game, Matesa struck out eight and yielded two earned runs, five hits and five walks.

Freshman pitcher Julian Austin was the story in the Nicholls State game. Making her first collegiate start, Austin retired the first eight hitters she faced. She twirled a one-hitter while striking out three and walking one.

However, the game was scoreless through 5 ½ innings. The Billikens stranded eight runners through the first five frames, including the bases loaded in the second, before finally breaking through with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Liz Jones reached on an error, moved to second on Holland's bunt single and scored on Van Nostrand's single, with Holland moving to third. Holland was out at the plate on Bohning's fielder's choice, and Van Nostrand advanced to second.

Nicoletti's single loaded the bases, and Kerri Dockins gave Austin some insurance with a two-run double. Austin retired the side in order in the seventh, finishing the game by setting down the final 11 Nicholls State batters.

Faletto was 3-for-4, including a double, and Dockins was 2-for-4 to lead the SLU offense.

The Billikens grabbed a 2-0 first-inning lead against Southeastern Louisiana. Nicoletti led off with a double, moved to third on Brand's bunt single and scored on Faletto's sacrifice fly. Burger delivered a two-out double that plated Brand.

Southeastern pulled even in the second, but SLU regained the lead with three tallies in the bottom of the fourth. Buschjost led off with a single, went to second on Nicoletti's ground ball and scored on Brand's double. Faletto tripled to bring home pinch runner Jones and scored when Bohning reached on an error.

After a fifth-inning grand slam put the Lions back in front 6-5, Saint Louis answered with three runs in the bottom half to claim an 8-6 advantage. Holland registered a leadoff pinch-hit single, advanced to second on Van Nostrand's sacrifice and scored on a pinch-hit double by Cejka. Cejka and Nicoletti, who reached on an error, scored on Brand's double.

However, Southeastern pushed across four runs in the top of the seventh off Austin (1-1), who relieved starter Hannah Huebbe in the fifth, and the Billikens were retired in order in the bottom of the inning.

Brand (3-for-5) and Bohning (2-for-5) were SLU's leading hitters.

The Billikens conclude the tournament Sunday with a 10 a.m. contest against Tennessee-Martin.