The University of Rhode Island softball team lost both games of a doubleheader on Monday as it was blanked in the scoring column by Saint Louis University for all 14 innings of play.

The Rams managed 11 hits across the two contests, compared to 12 for the Billikens, but couldn’t match the scoring production of the third-ranked team in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Saint Louis scored three runs in game one and eight runs in game two while holding Rhody scoreless throughout Monday afternoon.

“Our pitching was definitely better this weekend,” URI third-year catcher Kylie Bulinski said. “Our offense just couldn’t capitalize off that.”

The scoreless doubleheader for Rhode Island now makes it a 30-inning scoring drought for the Rams. Bulinski’s solo shot against Saint Joseph’s University on April 5 marks the last time a URI player crossed home plate.

“This season, it just feels like our pitching will be on while our offense is off [and vice versa],” Bulinski said. “Right now our problem is that we’re getting on base, but we can’t score runners.”

The team stranded five runners on base across the final three frames in game one of the doubleheader and managed to stick close to the Billikens for six of the seven innings in game two. In the end, they were unable to find the hit with runners on to get runs across the board.

“We’re not bad hitters; we’re just going through a rough stretch right now,” URI Head Coach Mike Coutts said. “We’re doing the right things, we’re just not capitalizing.”

There were some positives on Monday that Rhody will look to build off of. First-year shortstop Julianne Torres reached base five times across both contests, including two doubles in game one, to raise her batting average to .301. Bulinski contributed three singles, and fourth-year infielder Emily Power doubled in game one. Third-year infielder Casey Miller, URI’s new leadoff hitter, added a single and strong defense in game two.

“Miller, I think, does a great job for us,” Coutts said. “I just love the way she competes every at-bat, every pitch. Julianne Torres played well defensively; she’s been really good too.”

On the pitching side, third-year Ashley Hibbard got the start and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking two across five innings of work. Fourth-year Katie Zaun came on in relief and allowed a run on two hits in her two innings out of the bullpen.

In game two, fourth-year Avery Vale-Cruz got the start and allowed four runs on four hits through six innings. She struck out eight batters but walked six. First-year Brooke Gerry struggled with command, walking three batters, and was only able to retire one Billiken hitter, so first-year Sarah Trosin finished out the seventh inning.

Coming up, the Rams head to New York to take on St. Bonaventure University for a three-game set beginning on Friday at noon. The first and third games will be available on ESPN+, and the second game will stream on the Bonnies Online Network.

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