ST. LOUIS – Fueled by freshman Grace Brown’s two home runs, the fifth-seeded Saint Joseph’s Hawks defeated sixth-seeded George Washington, 8-4, to avoid elimination at the Betterment A-10 Softball Championship.

Saint Joseph’s drew first blood in the second inning, as Brown hammered a two-run home run to left-center field. The Hawks widened the gap with a five-run third inning, capped off by another two-run shot over the fence by Brown. The hit marked Brown’s second home run of the game – and third of the day.

After both teams scored in the fifth inning, George Washington mounted a valiant effort in the final frame. Revolutionaries senior Daniella Lew started the inning with a solo home run and George Washington added two more runs on ground balls to bring the tying run to the plate. The rally ended there, thanks to a lunging catch on a line drive by Hawks third baseman Elyssa Hasapis.

Saint Joseph’s starter Julia Shearer received the win, allowing one run over six innings of action and striking out six batters.

Saint Joseph’s advances to the final game of Thursday’s schedule at 5:30 p.m., facing the lowest-seeded team to lose in the two afternoon games.