WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.  (Apr. 10, 2011) – Junior Megan Layne (Vallejo, Calif./Rodriguez) pitched a gem to help the Saint Francis softball team defeat Monmouth, 2-1, in Game 1 of a Saturday afternoon Northeast Conference doubleheader.

 

However, the Hawks bounced back to hand the Red Flash a 6-1 loss in the nightcap.

 

Saint Francis fell to 8-28 overall and 1-7 in the NEC with the twinbill split. The Red Flash will return to action on Wednesday when they visit Bucknell.

 

Layne was terrific in giving up one unearned run on two hits, while striking out six and walking two in the day's first game.

 

Junior Paige Smith (Saugus, Calif./Valencia) doubled and came around to score on an RBI single by sophomore Taylor Darneille to make it 1-0 in the fourth inning. Layne helped her own cause by singling and later scoring on an RBI single by Karlie Miller to make it 2-0 in the fifth.

 

Monmouth took advantage of a Red Flash error to score an unearned run in the sixth inning, but Layne retired the side in order in the seventh inning to secure the win.

 

The Hawks were the beneficiaries of five SFU errors in Game 2. Saint Francis pitchers gave up four unearned runs in the 6-1 loss. Freshman Jasa Mitchell hit a solo home run for the only Red Flash run in the sixth inning to make it 4-1. But Monmouth added two more runs in the bottom half of the frame to put the game out of reach. Freshman Ashley Thomas had SFU's other hit, a double, in the game.

 

For all the latest information, notes, pictures and related links on Saint Francis softball, follow Director of Athletic Communications Bob Volkert on Twitter (@SFUVolkert) and check www.SFUathletics.com. The Red Flash are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SFUAthletics.