How It Happened
Rhode Island's losing skid extended to nine games with a pair of losses at Saint Louis Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (5-21, 1-9  Atlantic 10) managed just two runs over the course of the doubleheader, falling to the Billikens (13-15, 5-2 A-10) 5-1 and 7-1.

Game 1 – Saint Louis 5, Rhode Island 1
Chloe Wendling was in control throughout, limiting Rhode Island to six hits while striking out seven batters. The senior pitcher won her 10th game of the season with the complete-game effort.

The Billikens scored single runs in the first and second inning for the early lead. Jocelyn Abbott delivered a two-run triple with two out in the fifth inning to break the game open. Trailing 4-0, Rhode Island got one back in the top of the sixth when Caitlin O'Leary drove in Leilyn Alvarez with an RBI single. That was the lone run for the Rams.

Game 2 – Saint Louis 5, Rhode Island 1
A five-run fourth inning for Saint Louis was the difference. After Rhode Island had tied the score in the top of the fourth, the Billikens erupted for five runs on five hits, four of which went for extra bases.

Back-to-back doubles by Sadie Wise and Allie Herron started the rally, as Wise scored the first run. Cami Newbanks drew a walk before Jane Kaniecki drove in Herron with a sacrifice fly. Jocelyn Abbott followed by lining a two-run home run to left, making the score 5-1. Kristi Stevenson later delivered an RBI double to score Natalie Sullivan

Rhode Island tied the score in the top of the fourth. Ari Castillo led off the inning with a walk and Ainsley Yoshizumi came on as a pinch runner. A sacrifice bunt by Vicki Viaclovsky moved Yoshizumi to second, and a ground out advanced her to third. Skyler Rapuano drew a two-out walk to put runners on the corners. Rapuano then drew a throw to second on a steal attempt and stayed in a rundown long enough to allow Yoshizumi to come in from third.

Inside the Box Scores

• Senior Ari Castillo hit safely in both games. She singled in the first game, then had a double and a walk in the second contest.
• Junior Caitlin O'Leary had a run-scoring pinch-hit single in the opening game and a double in the second game.
• Junior Skyler Rapuano singled in both ends of the doubleheader. She also drew a walk in the second game.
• Freshman Leilyn Alvarez had a single, stolen base and one run scored in the opener.
• Sophomore Vicki Viaclovsky had a pinch-hit single in the first game. She had a sacrifice bunt in the second game
• Junior Jessica Hennelly singled in the first game.
• The Rams were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
• For Saint Louis, 11 of the 17 hits the Billikens had in two games were for extra bases. SLU had eight doubles, two triples and one home run.

What's Next
Rhode Island and Saint Louis close out the series with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.