LORETTO, Pa. (Feb. 24, 2015) – The Saint Francis softball team travels to the Sunshine State over spring break looking to continue its strong start in 2015.
 
After seven games were cancelled due to weather over the last week, SFU was desperate to find a way to get back on the field. It happened this past weekend as the Flash swept a doubleheader from the Hawks of Saint Joseph's at the Spooky Nook Athletic Facility. Blaire Lauthers (Doylesburg, Pa./Fannett-Metal) and Alexis Bower (Cogan Station, Pa./Williamsport Area) picked up the wins on the mound for Saint Francis. Both pitchers picked up their second wins of the season.
 
With so many games being cancelled, head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift scheduled two games at the Citrus Classic before playing Jacksonville University and then traveling to Winter Haven to participate in the Rebel Games. SFU will square off against Western Illinois University and the No. 8 University of Georgia to open play in Florida.
 
LEADING OFF: Saint Francis has been one of the top scoring offenses in the first inning. In five games this season, the Flash have outscored opponents 19-1 in the opening frame. Leading the way for SFU, is senior INF/OF Taylor Parsons (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle). In the first five games, she is hitting a whopping .471 and is tied for second on the team in RBIs with seven.

 Scouting the Bulldogs
 
The Bulldogs are off to a terrific start in 2015 as they have accumulated an overall 12-2 record heading into play at the Citrus Classic.  The only two losses for the Bulldogs have come at the hands of No. 24 Notre Dame and No. 25 Texas. UGA ranks eighth in the latest USA Today Top 25 poll.  Good pitching and good offense has been the key to the early success for Georgia as the pitching staff has held opponents to a .134 batting average while sporting a team ERA of 1.62.
 
Scouting the Dolphins
 
Like the Bulldogs, the Flash will have its first meeting with the Dolphins of Jacksonville University. The Dolphins are coming off a tough one run, nine-inning loss to South Alabama on Sunday. JU will play four games before hosting the Flash on March 3.
 
HEAD-TO-HEAD
SFU VS. UGA: First meeting
SFU VS. JU: First meeting

FLASH FACTS:

• Saint Francis has started 5-0 for the second consecutive year under Patrick-Swift.
   
• The Flash is 17-13 all-time in the Sunshine State since 2012.
   
• The matchup with UGA will be the second time Saint Francis has faced a Top 10 school from the SEC. Last season SFU faced No. 10 Kentucky and fell 10-2 in six innings.