2020 Schedule 

Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis softball team enters the new decade riding a streak of three straight NEC Championships and NCAA Regional Appearances and the 2020 schedule, released Wednesday, will prepare the squad in its quest to keep the streak alive. The Red Flash face seven opponents in the top 100 for RPI: Marshall, Miami (OH), San Jose State, Stanford, USC Upstate, UNLV, and Washington, in its prep for NEC play which opens Mar. 28.

Coach Jessica O'Donnell designed the schedule with an emphasis on laying the foundation and continuous growth stating, "Our goal is to play a very competitive schedule to prepare us for conference play. When you examine our schedule, you will see a range of teams who were either conference champions last season or competed in the top half of their conference. The preparation and focus that goes into non-conference play is extremely important because these teams will challenge you mentally and physically. At the end of the day, it comes down to the work you put in during the off-season, so I am excited to see what we can accomplish."

The 2020 season commences in the Palmetto State at the USC Upstate Spartan Classic on Feb. 7-9 against Marshall, Towson, Bucknell and host USC Upstate. Marshall returns to the SFU schedule after a brief hiatus. The Thundering Herd are rumbling off a 42-22 record and a run in the National Invitational Softball Championship. Towson went 27-27 in 2019 but finished 120 in RPI. Bucknell is a familiar foe for SFU fans. Last year, the Bison complied a 28-24 record with two of those losses delivered by SFU. USC Upstate posted a 41-15 mark last season and the Spartans will serve as a good opening weekend gauge.

During the subsequent weekend, love and softball will be in the air as the Campbell Invitational kicks off on Valentine's Day with a doubleheader against a herd of bison in Bucknell and Howard. The Howard Bison went 19-29, made a run in the MEAC Championships, and return the MEAC's top offensive attack. On Feb. 15, SFU will play a doubleheader against Bucknell and host Campbell. The Camels narrowly missed the .500 mark in 2019, compiling a 26-28 record, but the hosting squad battled several ranked opponents in tough games.

The following weekend (Feb. 21-23), the Red Flash visit Tennessee for the Chattanooga Frost Classic which features Saint Louis, UNLV, Miami (OH), and SIUE. Saint Louis and UNLV are first-time opponents for Saint Francis. The Billikens finished 19-33 but return a skilled hitter in Sadie Wise who battled .405 with a school-record 19 doubles. The UNLV Rebels navigated a difficult schedule to finish 36-14 and third in the competitive Mountain West Conference. Miami won 35 games and lost on the final day of the MAC Tournament while SIUE ended up 19-28, including narrow losses to ranked Alabama and Arkansas squads.

For spring break, the Red Flash will head west to California to seek a softball gold rush. The expedition begins with the Stanford Softball Tournament (Feb. 28-March 1) to play Rhode Island, Pacific, and Stanford. Rhode Island went 17-29 last season. Pacific finished 17-32 in 2019, but like the Red Flash, went 4-0 against Bucknell and FDU. Stanford, one of the most prestigious PAC 12 squads, went 33-20 last year and participated in the Gainesville Regional where they defeated Boston University before being eliminated by Boise State.

The Silicon Valley Classic II starts on March 5 and features San Jose State, Utah State, Washington, Santa Clara, and Saint Mary's. The Spartans represent a significant test with a 37-16 mark and a 2-2 record in last season's Classic. Utah State posted a 17-30 record in 2019. Washington, on paper, will be the best team SFU will face. The Huskies blitzed through their schedule to the bark of a 52-9 record and advanced to the Women's College World Series where they lost to eventual national champion UCLA in a ten-inning classic. Washington features in its pack two of the best players in the nation: Sis Bates and Morganne Flores. Bates hit .387 and Flores clubbed 23 home runs. Santa Clara complied a 16-34 mark in 2019 but went 8-7 in conference play. Fellow WCC member Saint Mary's finished 14-37.

Travel continues for the road-hardened Red Flash with a trip to the UMBC/Towson Charm City Invitational starting on March 13. The Invitational begins with two doubleheaders versus Towson and Rider on Friday and Saturday. The Broncs finished 10-44. On Sunday, the Invitational concludes with a single game against Siena. The Saints went 22-25 in 2019.

After a weekend off to rest and recoup, NEC conference play begins on March 28 with the first home contests of 2020 as Mount St. Mary's visits for a doubleheader. Travel resumes again with a doubleheader against Sacred Heart on the following day.

No time for April Fools jokes as Saint Francis travels to Pitt for a doubleheader with the Keystone State rival on April 1. Conference play returns with two home doubleheaders on April 4 and 5 against Merrimack and Bryant. A midweek doubleheader to Bucknell interrupts the stretch of conference contests. A road trip to the Big Apple is the next bite on the schedule as the Red Flash play Wagner and the newly merged LIU on April 10 and 11. On April 18, Saint Francis heads to Robert Morris for a crucial conference doubleheader.

April 22 features Saint Francis driving up I-99 to play regional rival Penn State in the annual matchup. A pair of conference home doubleheaders on April 25 and April 26 against Central Connecticut State and Fairleigh Dickinson complete the regular season schedule.

The NEC Conference Tournament is scheduled for May 7-9 with the regular season champion hosting the tournament.

In O'Donnell first season, the Red Flash finished 29-31, winning the NEC Conference Tournament and participating in the Ann Arbor Regional where it lost to nationally-ranked Michigan and the Big East champion DePaul.

You can view the complete schedule via the link at the top of the page.