ST. LOUIS - Sophomore Liz Mendez threw seven innings of shutout ball and junior Ashley Alden collected four RBI, including a three-run home run, as the Saint Joseph's softball team downed Saint Louis, 6-0, Friday at the Billiken Sports Center.

The Hawks (13-13, 3-2 Atlantic 10) got on the board in the top of the first as junior Melissa Ruf scored on a RBI ground out off the bat of Brandi Harkness.

The lone run would be all Mendez would truly need as she allowed just three hits and two walks, while striking out five in a dominant performance. 

Saint Joseph's would tally a pair in the fifth, taking advantage of a Saint Louis error. With two outs and runners at second and third, Alden singled to left field, scoring Ruf. As the left fielder attempted to pick up the ball, the defender bobbled the transfer, allowing Nicole Palase to round third and race home to score to make it a 3-0 lead for SJU.

Alden would add some insurance in the top of the seventh with a three-run home run that scored Traneya White and Sarah Yoos to give SJU a 6-0 edge.

Mendez would work around a two-out hit by pitch to pick up the victory and improve to 6-7 on the year.

At the plate, Ruf finished 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, while Alden and senior Maria Ficca each added two hits apiece.

The Hawks and Billikens finish the two-game series tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.