April 30, 2011

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kelcie Matesa fired a two-hit shutout to lead Saint Louis to an 8-0, five-inning victory over George Washington Saturday in game one of an Atlantic 10 Conference doubleheader at Mount Vernon Field.

In the nightcap, George Washington scored a run in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 1-0 win.

Matesa (11-8) struck out nine and walked three in the opener. She was in trouble just once as George Washington (15-26-1, 5-13 A-10) loaded the bases with one out in the fourth. But the junior right-hander fanned the next two batters to keep the Colonials off the scoreboard.

The Billikens (28-23, 10-8 A-10) struck quickly, scoring three first-inning runs. Kristin Nicoletti led off with an infield single, stole second with one out and scored on Alyson Brand's double. Rachel Faletto singled to give SLU runners at first and third, and Kelsey Biggs drove in Brand with a single. After Kristain Burger's single loaded the bases, Tori Holland delivered a sacrifice fly that plated Faletto.

Saint Louis tallied twice more in the second. Jessica Buschjost drew a leadoff walk and stole second with one out. Brand walked with two outs, and Faletto followed with a double that scored Buschjost. Brand scored on a wild pitch for a 5-0 Billiken lead.

The Bills added a pair of runs in the third. Burger was hit by a pitch leading off, and pinch runner Jessica Van Nostrand walked and swiped second. Holland scored when Buschjost reached on an error, and Van Nostrand scored on Nicoletti's ground ball.

SLU registered what proved to be the winning run in the fourth. Brand drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on Van Nostrand's two-out single.

In game two, the Billikens' biggest scoring threat came in the fifth. Holland led off with a single and advanced on Van Nostrand's sacrifice. She was thrown out at third on Buschjost's ground ball, but Nicoletti's single gave SLU runners at first and second. However, George Washington hurler Kara Clauss (11-13) escaped the inning unscathed.

Hannah Huebbe (13-7) struck out six and allowed just four hits and two walks in absorbing the defeat.

The Billikens conclude the regular season Wednesday, May 4, with a non-conference doubleheader at Southeast Missouri State. Game time is 3 p.m.