NORFOLK, Va. (Mar. 9, 2008) – The Saint Francis softball team completed competition at the Spartan Classic on Sunday by suffering a pair of tough losses against Niagara and tournament-host Norfolk State.

The long ball hurt the Red Flash in their first contest of the day, a 10-2 setback against Niagara. The Purple Eagles hit five home runs off Saint Francis pitching.

Norfolk State scored nine runs in the first four innings to pull away and then held on for a 10-7 victory over the Red Flash in the day's final game.

Senior Nicole Bender (Patton, Pa. / Cambria Heights) went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in the nightcap. Junior Kelly Slingwine (Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine Richland) went 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs, while juniors Nicole Waligora (Johnstown, Pa. / Westmont Hilltop) and Janelle McCoy (New Paris, Pa. / Chestnut Ridge had two hits each. Sophomore Kelly Cortese (Coatesville, Pa. / Bishop Shanahan) added two RBIs.

Saint Francis fell to 3-12 on the season, and hopes to snap the two-game losing skid when competing in the Capital Classic Tournament at Delaware State next Friday through Sunday.