ST. LOUIS – Erin Harcar capped a 3-for-3 day with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning as Saint Louis defeated Fordham 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the Billiken Sports Center, gaining a split of a two-game Atlantic 10 Conference series.
Elizabeth Everingham hit her second home run of the season for the Billikens, who improved to 15-17 overall and 3-5 in the A-10. Fordham fell to 24-15, 8-4.
Everingham's homer, a line shot to right center, came with two outs in the fifth and snapped a scoreless tie. In the sixth, Fordham saw the potential tying run thrown out at the plate by SLU center fielder Jessica Buschjost, but Elise Fortier's two-out double made it a 1-1 game.
Laura Bohning began the decisive bottom of the seventh with an infield hit but was erased on an unsuccessful sacrifice attempt. However, Everingham drew a walk that moved pinch runner Madeline Brungardt to second, and Brungardt scored easily on Harcar's shot to left center.
Harcar had a double among her three hits, and Buschjost tallied a single.
SLU's pitching and defense were outstanding. Starting hurler Brianna Lore did not figure in the decision but pitched 5 2/3 strong innings, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Laney Kneib (8-5) pitched around three walks and stranded two Fordham runners in each of the last two innings.
In addition to Buschjost's outfield assist – her second in as many games – third baseman Everingham recorded six assists, shortstop Jessica Van Nostrand had four assists and second baseman Olivia Roback added three assists as Saint Louis played flawless defense.
The Billikens welcome La Salle to the Billiken Sports Center Sunday for an A-10 doubleheader. The twinbill begins at noon.
