FAIRFAX, Va. – Propelled by a five-run third inning and an elite pitching effort from Kallie Jones and Kelsey Gumm, fifth-seeded Dayton (21-23) once again staved off elimination in the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship, overwhelming No. 4 Saint Louis for a 10-1 victory Thursday evening at the George Mason Softball Complex.

The Flyers stay alive to fight in Friday's mid-afternoon elimination matchup, battling third-seeded Saint Joseph's at the George Mason Softball Complex, first pitch slated for 2:30 pm. The contest will be broadcast live via ESPN+.

The Dayton offensive engine revved early and often throughout the late-afternoon clash, igniting behind Alyssa Cacini's two-run shot over right-center wall in the first inning. After Saint Louis cut the lead down to one behind an RBI groundout from Jocelyn Abbott, UD went full throttle via a five-run third, batting around the order as five different Flyers notched a hit during the frame.

Dayton tapped the gas one last time in the seventh, tacking on three insurance runs before closing out the win.

In the circle, UD relied on strong outings from Kallie Jones and Kelsey Gumm, who surrendered a combined five hits and one run with four total strikeouts.

The Billikens scattered five hits among five players, while Dayton was paced by four players with a pair of hits each.