RUSTON, La. – Saint Louis scored five unanswered runs in the final two innings to defeat HBU softball, 7-6, Friday afternoon in the Lady Techster Tournament. It was the season opener for both teams.

HBU (0-1) was led by Victoria Granchelli, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one home run. Lauren Schwirtlich and Kirsten Schwirtlich also had two-hit days.

Kendall Stiefel started in the circle and went five innings, as she allowed four hits, four earned runs, and three walks while striking out three. Shannon O'Connor pitched the final 1.1 inning and gave up two hits, three runs – two earned – and two walks, while suffering the loss.

Mackenzie Peter went 2-for-3 for Saint Louis (1-0), while Lindsay Friedman and Elizabeth Everingham each had two RBI.

Brianna Cole went the distance for the win in the circle, as she allowed nine hits, six earned runs, and two walks as she struck out five.

The Huskies drew first blood with an opposite field solo shot by V. Granchelli in the top of the second.

In the top of the third, following a lead-off single by K. Schwirtlich, Melissa Herman was hit by a pitch to place runners at first and second with nobody out. Michaela Granchelli grounded out to third base to move K. Schwirtlich and Herman up one base. Kay Schroeder reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases for V. Granchelli with two outs. Lore threw a wild pitch, allowing K. Schwirtlich to score and increase HBU's lead to 2-0. That was all the damage the Huskies could muster, as V. Granchelli grounded out to end the inning.

Stiefel's no-hitter ended with a one-out Madeline Brungardt single in the bottom of the third. One batter later, Friedman tied the game with a two-run home run. Stiefel was able to get out of the inning without any further damage, with a groundout and a popup.

V. Granchelli struck again, giving the Huskies a 3-2 lead as her one-out RBI single brought home sister M. Granchelli in the top of the fifth. Schroeder scored on a sac fly by Holly Webb to give the Huskies their two-run lead back, 4-2.

HBU increased its lead to 6-2 with an RBI double by K. Schwirtlich and an RBI single by M. Granchelli in the top of the sixth.

The Billikens began their comeback with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Huskies' lead to 6-4. Following a leadoff walk, Everingham hit a two-run home run.

HBU went down in order in the top of the seventh. Saint Louis began the bottom half of the seventh with a pop-up to second. After back-to-back walks placed runners at first and second with one out, Alex Nickel hit an RBI single, then she and Friedman both scored on a throwing error to end the game and give the Billikens the one-run win.

HBU continues the Lady Techster Tournament with two games Saturday: against Jackson State at 9 am and UT Martin at 11:15 am.