Jess Willsey hits game-winner in 7th
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Freshman Jess Willsey hit a 2-out home run in the top of the seventh to lift the University of Evansville softball team to a 4-3 win over Saint Louis in the opening game of the DePaul Dome Classic.
Willsey finished the day 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and a RBI. Alexa Davis picked up two hits and an RBI of her own. Zoe Frossard knocked in two runs and finished 1-for-3. Erin Kleffman made the start for the Purple Aces and allowed two runs on five hits in four innings. Megan Brenton earned the win, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless frames.
Evansville wasted little time in taking the lead as Frossard hit a 2-RBI single in the top of the first. Taylor Howe and Willsey hit leadoff singles before Frossard scored both with two outs. The Billikens tied it right up in the bottom half of the first but UE would strike again in the 4th.
Hannah Hood reached on a 1-out single before stealing second. With two outs, Alexa Davis singled to center to put the Aces back in front at 3-2. Once again, Saint Louis tied the score as an RBI groundout by Gabbie Kowalik.
Things remained tied until the top half of the 7th when Willsey hit a 2-out home run to left field that proved to be the game winner. Brenton allowed a baserunner in the bottom of the frame but was able to clinch the victory for UE.
Friday’s action will feature the Aces matching up against St. Thomas at 10 a.m. before facing Eastern Kentucky at 3 p.m.
