FORT MYERS, Fla.  (Feb. 27, 2011) – The Saint Francis softball team rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but eventually fell in a 7-6 eight-inning defeat versus Eastern Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament.

 

The Red Flash later dropped a 12-0 decision in 5.0 innings against the tournament-host Eagles. SFU fell to 2-8 with the defeats and will return to action against Eastern Michigan at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

 

Brianna Garcia stole home and Kayla Trinkle had an RBI single to give Saint Francis a 2-1 lead against EMU in the fourth inning. However, the Eagles responded with two runs in the top of the fifth and three more in the seventh inning to take a 6-2 lead.

 

But the Red Flash wouldn't quit as they rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings. Paige Smith (Saugus, Calif./Valencia) had an RBI triple and scored on a wild pitch, Jasa Mitchell had an RBI double and Garcia delivered an RBI single for the game-tying run.

 

However, Eastern Michigan scored an unearned run in the eighth inning to pull out the victory.

 

Garcia had two hits in the game, while Mitchell scored a pair of runs for SFU.

 

Four different Red Flash players had singles, but couldn't put them together in a 12-0 loss against Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles scored three runs in the first inning, two more in the third, three in the fourth and four in the fifth to take the victory.

 

Katie McMellen (Kingsville, OH /Edgewood), Mitchell, Garcia and Chelsy Cosentino each had singles for Saint Francis.

 

For periodic softball updates and other Red Flash news, follow Director of Athletic Communications Bob Volkert on Twitter at SFUVolkert.