April 7, 2007

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Saint Louis' Ashley Levan set a school record with 20 strikeouts against Rhode Island on Saturday, lifting the Billikens to a 1-0 nine-inning victory in the first game of an Atlantic 10 Conference softball doubleheader. The junior allowed just three hits in the game, which was decided when freshman Kinsley Kelley drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth on a squeeze play. In game two, the Billikens prevailed 6-3 to remain undefeated in the A-10 at 6-0. With the two victories, SLU pushes its overall record to 19-19, which already matches last season's win total.

Levan's 20 Ks surpasses the previous mark of 18, which was accomplished by Mikki McPherson against Southeast Missouri in 1993. Levan struck out the side on four occasions, including the first three innings, and fittingly ended the game with a pair of strikeouts with the winning run at the plate.

After missing out on several opportunities to score in the early innings, the Billikens scored the only run of the game in the top of the ninth. Senior Christy Ernst advanced to second on an error by URI (6-18,1-5 A-10) center fielder Stephani Poedubicky, then was moved over to third on sophomore Annie Dillinger's sacrifice bunt. Kelley successfully laid down a bunt to squeeze Ernst home for the eventual winning run.

While Levan was mowing through the Rhody lineup, URI's Jill Anderson was having similar success against SLU. The Billikens had base runners in each of the first two innings, but both were dispatched on the base paths. In all, SLU managed nine hits before finally breaking through with the game winner in the ninth.

Levan (9-4) walked just three and did not allow a Ram base runner to reach third. It was her fourth complete-game shutout of the season.

Senior Jill Pursell, Ernst and Kelley managed two hits apiece for SLU.

In game two, the Billikens jumped on top early courtesy of a URI defensive miscue. Sophomore Rachel Heet reached on an error by the shortstop, then stole second. She trotted home on an Ernst base knock to put the Bills up 1-0 after an inning of play.

SLU put another run on the board in the second. Dillinger led off with a single, then stole second. After reaching third on a groundout, she scampered home on freshman Brittney Schmidt's infield RBI single to make it 2-0 SLU.

Pinch runner Jess Burns pushed the Billiken lead to 3-0 when she scored on an error in the fourth, but Rhody broke into the scoring column for the first time of the day in the sixth off of SLU starter Lorena Floccari. The Rams' Melissa Wilson lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Tara Hiteman and slim the Billikens' advantage to 3-1.

The Billikens answered by scoring what would turn out to be three big insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Senior Allison Appenfeller ripped a single up the middle to start the inning, then pinch-hitter Shana Richard advanced Appenfeller to second on a sacrifice bunt. Freshman Brittany Miller came in as a pinch runner for Appenfeller, and advanced to second on Pursell's base hit to center. With Miller and Pursell in scoring position, Heet drove a pitch up the middle for a two-run single and a 5-1 Billiken lead. Ernst later drove in Heet with a two-out RBI single, capping a three run, four hit inning for SLU.

That rally in the top of the seventh was crucial, as the Rams plated a pair of runs in their half of the inning. After Rhody pushed across a run on an RBI double, the Bills called to the bullpen and brought in junior Rosie Gonzalez. She allowed a home run to the second batter she faced as URI pulled to within 6-3, but she got Poedubicky to line out, sealing the win for the Billikens.

Floccari earned her seventh win in the circle after working 6.1 innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits. She struck out one and walked one.

Ernst ended up 3-for-4 with two RBIs, while Heet drove in two runs and scored twice.

Today's games were played at Rhode Island College in Providence due to continued wet playing conditions on URI's home turf.

The Billikens continue their East Coast road swing on Easter Sunday with an A-10 doubleheader at UMass. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. (CT).

Printer-friendly format	Email this article