GAME RESULT
Saint Louis 4, SIUE 3
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
St. Louis, Mo.
 
THE BASICS
Saint Louis scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to answer SIUE's game-tying rally in the top of the inning, and the Billikens held on for a 4-3 victory over the Cougars Wednesday afternoon at the Billiken Sports Center.
 
Playing its final non-conference game of the season, SLU improved to 26-17. SIUE of the Ohio Valley Conference fell to 15-30.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
•Saint Louis generated a two-out rally and took a 2-0 lead in the third. Jane Kaniecki's two-run double scored Natalie Sullivan and Cami Newbanks, who had walked and singled, respectively.
•Although SIUE plated the tying runs in the sixth, reliever Isabel Royle limited the damage by recording the final two outs with the bases loaded.
•In the SLU half of the sixth, the Billikens again rallied after the first two batters were retired. After Kelsey Etling walked, Abby Mallo's single sent pinch-runner Sophia Boente to third, and Boente scooted home when Mallo induced a rundown between first and second. Chloe Rhine followed with an RBI single that scored pinch-runner Karsen Jany.
•SIUE tallied an unearned run in the seventh, but Royle shut the door with the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard.
 
BILLIKEN NOTABLES
•Starting pitcher Taylor Hochman worked four scoreless innings. Hochman allowed just three hits and did not walk a batter.
•Royle improved to 11-5.
•Etling doubled, and Abby Ulsas collected a single.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Louis travels to the Bronx, N.Y., to battle Fordham in a three-game Atlantic 10 Conference series April 27-28. Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game start at 11 a.m. Central. The Billikens and Rams are tied for second place in the league, two games behind Dayton.