WASHINGTON – The second-seeded Saint Louis Billikens fended off the fifth-seeded Saint Joseph’s Hawks in a 3-2 victory on Friday in an Atlantic 10 Softball Championship elimination game. With the win, the Billikens will meet the top-seeded Dayton Flyers in an elimination game at 5 p.m. at George Washington Softball Field.  

The Billikens faced an early two-run deficit to the Hawks. In the third inning, Abby Ulsas connected for a sacrifice fly to score Karsen Jany. Abby Mallo, the A-10 Co-Player of the Year, followed with a triple to center field. Mallo’s extra base hit drove in Natalie Sullivan to knot the game at two.  

Jane Kaniecki followed with a base hit to plate Mallo, who scored the go ahead run.  

Saint Joseph’s starting pitcher Taylor Trowbridge allowed three runs on five hits. Trowbridge recorded five strikeouts and walked two in six innings of work.  

The Hawks jumped out to an early two-run lead in the first. With two outs, Hailey Malito and Meghan Sinkus connected for back-to-back singles. Sierra Fretz doubled in Malito and Sinkus for the early advantage.  

Saint Louis’s starting pitcher Taylor Hochman allowed two runs across seven innings. She surrendered five hits, struck out five and walked four.  

The Billikens and top-seeded Flyers will meet at 5 p.m. in an elimination game. The winner will advance to the Atlantic 10 Championship game at 12 p.m. on Saturday at George Washington Softball Field.