PHILADELPHIA – Junior Michelle Hagarty moved into second all-time in career home runs (20) at La Salle, blasting a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning in a 17-7 loss against Saint Louis University.  Hagarty is seven shy of her former teammate, Megan Hodgson, who tallied 27 homeruns during her career as an Explorer.
 
Unseasonably cold temperatures caused Sunday's contest to be delayed multiple times, however neither team seemed fazed offensively.  The Billikens drew first blood, plating an astonishing five runs in the first inning, thanks in part to a lead off solo home run by Alex Nickel.  After throwing an outstanding game yesterday, La Salle senior Mary Cate Scott was relieved by freshman Marlo Roadcap in the first inning after recording two outs.  Roadcap would allow a single run to score on a passed ball before retiring Nickel to end the inning.
 
Hagarty would answer with her two-run home run in the bottom of the same inning, and junior Gollie would drive in a run in the bottom of the fourth, however the Explorers were outmatched offensively for much of the game. 
 
Trailing by ten runs entering the bottom of the fifth inning, La Salle needed to score two runs in order to avoid an early end to the game due to the NCAA "Eight Run Rule."  Hagarty started the rally with a one-out single and advanced to second by Christina Bascara's infield single.  After Valerie Pineiro drew a walk, junior Lindsey Gaines came to bat with the bases loaded.
 
Gaines battled during the at-bat, finding herself with a full count after fouling off several of Maddie Baalman's pitches.  Gaines eventually found one she liked and sent a pitch deep over the right field fence for her first collegiate grand slam. 
 
While Gaines' heroics gave the Explorers a chance and sent the game into a sixth inning, the Billikens' bats responded with four runs to put the game out of reach.
 
La Salle (8-16/1-5) will return to action on Wednesday with a mid-week double header against Lafayette.  The games will be played at West Campus Field on La Salle's campus with game one beginning at 3 p.m.