YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Mar. 18, 2010) – The Saint Francis softball team got outstanding pitching and clutch hitting to snap a five-game losing streak with a doubleheader sweep at Youngstown State on Thursday afternoon.

Sophomore Megan Layne (Vallejo, Calif./Rodriguez) (Vallejo, Calif. / Rodriguez) gave up just one run in 7.0 innings to lead the Red Flash to a 3-1 victory in Game 1. Freshman Carmen Gurrola (Arleta, Calif. / John F. Kennedy) gave up just three runs on three hits in a 4-3 win in Game 2.

Saint Francis improved to 5-12 with the wins, and will now turn its attention to the Delaware State Tournament this weekend. SFU will open against Rhode Island at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Senior Christina Aulbach (York, PA /Dallastown Area) (York, Pa. / Dallastown Area) had two hits and an RBI in the first game, while junior Raquel Rugani (Montour, PA/Montour) (McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour) and sophomore Paige Smith (Saugus, Calif./Valencia) (Saugus, Calif. / Valencia) each had a hit and an RBI.

Freshman Taylor Darneille (Fircrest, Wash. / Wilson) started a two-out rally in the top of the first inning by drawing a walk. She came around to score on a double by Smith, who later scored on Rugani's RBI single.

Francis plated Aulbach with a double in the fifth inning to make it 3-0. The Penguins got on the board with a solo home run in the sixth inning, but Layne closed the door for her fourth win of the season. She surrendered four hits, while striking out two and walking two in a complete game.

Darneille went 3-for-4 in the second game, while fellow freshman Karlie Miller (Wildomar, Calif. / Temescal Canyon) collected two base knocks.

Senior Stephanie Griffin (Dupont, PA /Pittston Area ) (Dupont, Pa. / Pittston Area) led off the game with a single, and came all the way around on a double by Darneille.

After Youngstown State scored a run in the bottom of the second, sophomore Courtney Francis (Jefferson, Ohio/Jefferson Area) (Jefferson, Ohio / Jefferson Area) led off the third inning with a walk, and came across to make it 2-1 with an RBI single by Miller.

Aulbach bunted for a single in the fourth inning, and later scored on a double steal to make it 3-1.

The Penguins would hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the lead to 4-3, but Gurrola buckled down to get the last two outs for her first career victory. She gave up two earned runs on three hits, struck out two and walked one in 7.0 innings.