The SLU women’s softball team went 2-0 on opening day against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
| Game 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLU (1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
W: Taylor Hochman – SLU (1-0) L: Adams, K – UAPB (0-1) S: Lily Strand -SLU (1)
| Game 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLU (2-0) | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
W: Lily Strand – SLU (1-0) L: Bryant (0-1)
Nora Nichols
Staff Writer
PINE BLUFF, AR — The Saint Louis University women’s softball team got its 2024 season off to a roaring start on Friday, when it swept a season-opening doubleheader against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff by scores of 5-3 and 10-0.
Fifth-year senior first baseman Cami Newbanks had four hits in the two games, including three doubles to lead the Saint Louis offense, while pitcher freshman pitcher Lily Strand notched a win and a save in her collegiate debut as the Billikens dominated the action in the circle.
In Game 1, UAPB took the lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, but SLU responded by scoring four runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead.
Newbanks began the inning with a double, then scored on a two-run homer by Kelsey Etling. Later in the inning, Chloe Rhine doubled home a run, then scored herself on a hit by Jocelyn Abbott.
UAPB closed the gap to 4-3 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but the Billikens added an inusrance run in the top of the seventh, on an RBI double by Newbanks that scored Abby Ulsas.
UAPB threatened in its half of the seventh, loading the bases with one out. But Strand retired the final two batters to save the victory for starter Taylor Hochman (1-0), who pitched six innings and only gave up the three runs on five hits and one walk, with seven strikeouts.
In Game 2, it was all Billikens. They posted nine hits and drew eight walks. UAPB also committed four errors.
Three different SLU players had two hits, including Sydney Ross, who also drove in three runs.
Strand (1-0) got the complete game win by pitching five innings and giving up no runs on two hits. She also had three strikeouts and gave up no walks.
Saint Louis will be back in action on Saturday, when it goes even further south to play a doubleheader against Louisiana Tech.
SLU Billikens 2024 Softball Schedule
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Away | Louisiana Tech | Ruston, La. | |
| February 10, 2024 (Saturday) | 2 pm | Away | Louisiana Tech | Ruston, La. | |
| February 11, 2024 (Sunday) | 11 am | Away | Louisiana Tech | Ruston, La. | |
| February 16, 2024 (Friday) | 4 pm | Away | Tennessee State | Nashville, Tenn. | Roar City Invitational |
| February 16, 2024 (Friday) | 6 pm | Neutral | Tennessee-Martin | Nashville, Tenn. | Roar City Invitational |
| February 17, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Away | Tennessee State | Nashville, Tenn. | Roar City Invitational |
| February 17, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Neutral | Indiana State | Nashville, Tenn. | Roar City Invitational |
| February 18, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Neutral | Indiana State | Nashville, Tenn. | Roar City Invitational |
| February 23, 2024 (Friday) | 12:30 pm | Neutral | Eastern Illinois | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Hilltopper Classic |
| February 23, 2024 (Friday) | 5:30 pm | Away | Western Kentucky | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Hilltopper Classic |
| February 24, 2024 (Saturday) | 10 am | Neutral | Eastern Illinois | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Hilltopper Classic |
| February 24, 2024 (Saturday) | 5:30 pm | Neutral | Detroit Mercy | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Hilltopper Classic |
| February 25, 2024 (Sunday) | 12:30 pm | Away | Western Kentucky | Bowling Green, Ky. | WKU Hilltopper Classic |
| March 1, 2024 (Friday) | 1 pm | Neutral | Indiana State | Clarksville, Tenn. | Austin Peay Tournament |
| March 1, 2024 (Friday) | 6 pm | Away | Austin Peay | Clarksville, Tenn. | Austin Peay Tournament |
| March 2, 2024 (Saturday) | 12:30 pm | Neutral | Ohio | Clarksville, Tenn. | Austin Peay Tournament |
| March 3, 2024 (Sunday) | 12:30 pm | Neutral | IUPUI | Clarksville, Tenn. | Austin Peay Tournament |
| March 3, 2024 (Sunday) | 5:30 pm | Away | Austin Peay | Clarksville, Tenn. | Austin Peay Tournament |
| March 9, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Home | St. Thomas (Minn.) | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 9, 2024 (Saturday) | 2 pm | Home | St. Thomas (Minn.) | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 10, 2024 (Sunday) | 11 am | Home | St. Thomas (Minn.) | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 13, 2024 (Wednesday) | 1 pm | Home | Western Illinois | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 16, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Home | Massachusetts | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 16, 2024 (Saturday) | 2 pm | Home | Massachusetts | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 17, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Home | Massachusetts | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 20, 2024 (Wednesday) | 5 pm | Away | Lindenwood | St. Charles, Mo. | |
| March 23, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Home | Saint Joseph’s | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 23, 2024 (Saturday) | 2 pm | Home | Saint Joseph’s | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 24, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Home | Saint Joseph’s | Billiken Sports Center | |
| March 29, 2024 (Friday) | 11 am | Away | George Washington | Washington, D.C. | |
| March 29, 2024 (Friday) | 1 pm | Away | George Washington | Washington, D.C. | |
| March 30, 2024 (Saturday) | 11 am | Away | George Washington | Washington, D.C. | |
| April 3, 2024 (Wednesday) | 5 pm | Home | Lindenwood | Billiken Sports Center | |
| April 6, 2024 (Saturday) | 11 am | Away | St. Bonaventure | St. Bonaventure, N.Y. | |
| April 6, 2024 (Saturday) | 1 pm | Away | St. Bonaventure | St. Bonaventure, N.Y. | |
| April 7, 2024 (Sunday) | 11 am | Away | St. Bonaventure | St. Bonaventure, N.Y. | |
| April 10, 2024 (Wednesday) | 4 pm | Away | Southeast Missouri State | Cape Girardeau, Mo. | |
| April 13, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Home | Rhode Island | Billiken Sports Center | |
| April 13, 2024 (Saturday) | 2 pm | Home | Rhode Island | Billiken Sports Center | |
| April 14, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Home | Rhode Island | Billiken Sports Center | |
| April 17, 2024 (Wednesday) | 2 pm | Away | Loyola Chicago | Chicago, Ill. | |
| April 17, 2024 (Wednesday) | 4 pm | Away | Loyola Chicago | Chicago, Ill. | |
| April 20, 2024 (Saturday) | 11 am | Away | George Mason | Fairfax, Va. | |
| April 20, 2024 (Saturday) | 1 pm | Away | George Mason | Fairfax, Va. | |
| April 21, 2024 (Sunday) | 11 am | Away | George Mason | Fairfax, Va. | |
| April 24, 2024 (Wednesday) | 5 pm | Home | SIUE | Billiken Sports Center | |
| April 27, 2024 (Saturday) | 11 am | Away | Fordham | Bronx, N.Y. | |
| April 27, 2024 (Saturday) | 1 pm | Away | Fordham | Bronx, N.Y. | |
| April 28, 2024 (Sunday) | 11 am | Away | Fordham | Bronx, N.Y. | |
| May 4, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Home | Dayton | Billiken Sports Center | |
| May 4, 2024 (Saturday) | 2 pm | Home | Dayton | Billiken Sports Center | |
| May 5, 2024 (Sunday) | Noon | Home | Dayton | Billiken Sports Center | |
| May 8, 2024 (Wednesday) | TBA | Neutral | Atlantic 10 Championship | Bronx, N.Y. | Atlantic 10 Conference Championship |
| May 17, 2024 (Friday) | TBA | Neutral | NCAA Regional | TBA | NCAA Regional |
| May 23, 2024 (Thursday) | TBA | Neutral | NCAA Super Regional | TBA | NCAA Super Regional |
| May 30, 2024 (Thursday) | TBA | Neutral | Women’s College World Series | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Women’s College World Series |