Matesa whiffs 14
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Laura Bohning’s three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning propelled Saint Louis to a 5-3 victory over Florida Gulf Coast Friday night at Florida Gulf Coast University Tournament.
Kelcie Matesa (2-1) struck out 14 and allowed just four hits and an unearned run after relieving starter Hannah Huebbe with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the first.
Jessica Van Nostrand was 3-for-4 to lead a nine-hit attack for Saint Louis (5-3). Bohning and Kelly Flanagan had two hits apiece.
Trailing 3-1 heading into the sixth, the Billikens got a leadoff double from Flanagan and a one-out single from Van Nostrand. Bohning then welcomed FGCU reliever Britney Pugh to the game with a three-run blast to left field, her first homer of the season.
SLU added an insurance run in the seventh. Katie Kroeger reached on an error to begin the inning, moved to second on Erin Harcar’s sacrifice and scored on Van Nostrand’s two-out single that followed a walk to Rachel Faletto.
FGCU (3-4) had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the inning following a leadoff walk, but Matesa struck out the side to preserve the victory.
The Billikens grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first. Jessica Buschjost reached on an error leading off, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Flanagan’s two-out single.
In the bottom of the inning, four walks and a hit by pitch put the Eagles on top 2-1. Matesa came on and put out the fire, fanning two and inducing a pop-up.
FGCU loaded the bases with one out in the second before Matesa registered two more punch-outs to snuff out the threat.
SLU had two on with one out in the third following singles by Buschjost and Kroeger, but the Billikens failed to score. FGCU stretched the lead to 3-1 with an unearned run in the bottom of the inning before Matesa recorded the final two outs.
In the fourth, the Bills had the tying runs on with one out following singles by Van Nostrand and Bohning but failed to score.
The Billikens play twice in the tournament again on Saturday, taking on Binghamton at 10:15 a.m. (CT) and Boston College at 2:45 p.m.