Alyssa Tarquinio’s first-inning grand slam gave Saint Louis an early jolt, and the Billikens went on to defeat Rhode Island 8-3 Saturday afternoon in the finale of a three-game Atlantic 10 Conference series.
SLU, which completed a sweep after taking both games of Friday’s doubleheader, improved to 23-12 overall and 8-3 in the A-10. Rhode Island fell to 1-23, 0-8.
The first-inning rally began with two outs. Elizabeth Everingham’s single was followed by walks toAllie Macfarlane and Brianna Lore. Tarquinio followed with her third home run of the season, a shot down the left-field line.
The Billikens made it 5-0 in the second. Alex Nickel led off with a single, stole second with one out and scored on Everingham’s single.
Rhode Island scored its first run in the third, and the score remained 5-1 until Saint Louis plated two runs in the sixth. Nickel singled and Lindsay Friedman walked with one out. Everingham’s single scored Nickel and sent Friedman to third. Friedman scored on Lore’s ground ball.
The Bills tallied their final run in the seventh. Emma Buckles ignited the rally with a two-out bunt single, which was followed by Josie Knesel’s single and consecutive infield singles by Nickel and Friedman.
Lore (11-7) allowed two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning but induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. She struck out four and allowed six hits and three walks.
Macie Wheeler contributed two hits for the Billikens, who play at Southern Illinois Monday, April 6, at 5 p.m.
