Laura DeZolt struck out nine batters in game one.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle softball team (8-21, 1-9 Atlantic 10) saw its losing streak reach 13 games as the Explorers fell twice to A-10 newcomers Saint Louis (15-18, 6-4). The Billikens scored two early runs in a pitcher's duel to take the first game and used a five-run second inning to defeat La Salle 9-0 in five innings in game two.

 

Game One

 

Saint Louis wasted no time getting on the board in their first-ever A-10 appearance at Good Shepherd Field, as AshLeigh Williams' sacrifice fly gave the Billikens a 1-0 lead. Saint Louis added an unearned run in the second when Jody Herbert singled home Jenna Renner, who reached first on a two-out throwing error. The two runs would be enough to secure the win for Saint Louis

 

The Explorers threatened in the fifth inning, loading the bases after singles from Megan Berry (Rutherford, NJ/Paramus Catholic) and Danielle Signorelli (Jenkintown, PA/St. Basil) and a Teddi Hernandez (Hanford, CA/Hanford) walk. Kelli Curcio (Hatboro, PA/St. Basil) came up with two outs, working the count full. She fouled off four pitches, including one long shot that went foul down the left field line, before flying out to left field.

 

Ashley Levan picked up the win for Saint Louis, pitching a complete game. She gave up four hits, no runs and a walk. Levan struck out 10 Explorers. Laura DeZolt (Morrisville, PA/Conwell-Egan Catholic) dropped to 7-7 with the loss. In seven innings of work, she allowed 10 hits, two runs (one earned) and fanned nine hitters.

 

Game Two

 

For the first time in five games, La Salle did not allow a run in the first inning, as pitcher Lea Corcoran (Grayslake, IL/Grayslake Community) worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam. The last time the Explorers held their opponent scoreless in the first frame was the first game of a doubleheader with Rhode Island on April 2. La Salle held off Saint Louis until the second inning when Kara Sell hit a round-tripper to lead off. Allison Appenfeller followed with a single and Jess Burns reached on DeZolt's error at shortstop. Jill Pursell then singled to load the bases, before Christy Ernst cleared them with a triple. Ashlee Heady brought home Ernst with a sacrifice fly for the first out. Corcoran got the next two hitters to fly out to get out of the inning, but the damage was done as the Explorers trailed 5-0.

 

The Billikens struck again in the third when Appenfeller drove home a run on a single. In the fourth, Williams mimicked Appenfeller by also singling home a run. Logan Justice then reached on an error, followed by pitcher Lorena Floccari's single to load the bases. Corcoran got Sell to pop up for the second out before Appenfeller hit a humpback liner to Curcio to end the inning. The Billikens added two more runs in the fifth on a pair of RBI singles by Heady and Williams to build a 9-0 lead.

 

The Explorers tried to fight off the eight-run rule when Corcoran reached second after drawing a walk and advancing on a wild pitch. She was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Corey Druding's (Philadelphia, PA/St. Basil) single for the game's final out.

 

Corcoran fell to 0-8 with the loss. In five innings, she allowed 12 hits, nine runs (six earned) and two walks. Floccari earned the win in three innings of work. She did not allow a hit and struck out four. Erica May allowed two hits and struck out a pair in two innings of relief.

 

The Explorers will return to action on Wednesday, April 12 when they visit St. Francis (NY) at 3:00 p.m.