Statesboro, Ga. - The Red Flash split Saturday's doubleheader of games losing to UT Martin 3-1 and decisively defeating host Georgia Southern 10-1 in sixth innings.

Saint Francis moves to 2-2 on the youthful season. This was Coach Jessica O'Donnell first mercy rule win.

Game One

The Red Flash fell behind 3-0 by the second inning and the team, despite a furious rally, could not make up the deficit. Saint Francis outhit the Skyhawks of UTM but two unearned runs proved to be the undoing of SFU's fortunes.

Lauren Bertig (Indiana, Pa./Indiana High School), after conquering some early inning struggles, pitched four scoreless frames to keep the Skyhawks from flying away with the contest. The freshman hurler limited UTM to three hits in her collegiate debut. Bertig displayed much promise and Red Flash fans should be eagerly anticipating her next outing.

In contrast to the two previous days, SFU was unable to score in the first inning. Similar to the last two games, the Red Flash's opponent scored in the opening stanza. UTM unveiled a potent steal game to maximize their scoring opportunities. Short singled and stole second. McBride walked and then executed a double steal with Short. Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) knocked down a hot grounder but was unable to prevent the run or the hitter (Woodard) from reaching first. Woodard swiped second to set second and third. A groundout to Bower scored another run. Bertig prevented any more damage by inducing a grounder to first which Brittney Crawford (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan) expertly scooped up.

Despite an error in the second inning, the Red Flash could not push a run across the plate. UTM, however, capitalized on a SFU error to increase their lead. A throwing error by Bertig advanced Fulcher to second. Rogers bunted the runner over to third and once again a simple ground ball proved sufficient enough to score a Skyhawk run. Small ball loomed large. Bertig rallied to gain the final out.

SFU went 1-2-3 in the top half of the third inning. UT Martin attempted to reenact their steal game but an expert throw from Tavyon Rousseau shot the Skyhawk down. A single and a hit by a pitch followed but Bertig kept her cool and forced the batter to ground out.

The Red Flash bats displayed some two out lightning when Hayley Norton (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) and Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) singled and doubled respectively. Frank just got under a pitch that resulted in a fly ball to center field. UT Martin also obtained some baserunners but it was all for naught as the Red Flash held firm.

The fifth inning witnessed both teams go 1-2-3 as both pitchers remained in command.

The Red Flash awoke in the sixth inning with authority. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) displayed her gift for big hits with a towering drive over the right field wall. MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) who is having a spectacular Bash in the Boro tournament slashed a single through the left side. At this point, UT Martin changed pitchers from Karo to Gallagher. The decision proved wise. Bower just missed on a strikeout pitch, Norton walked, Cheyenne McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) hit a long foul ball which due to the spacious foul ground landed in the left fielder's mitt. Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kassidy Troxell (Navarre, Ohio/Perry) struck out to end the half inning.

UT Martin's Fulcher hit a double but three ground balls extinguished that threat and the Skyhawks were denied a chance to add an insurance run.

The start of the seventh inning started out sharp for the Red Flash with Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School), in a pinch hitting role, taking a hit by pitch to reach first. Crawford attempted to bunt but the ball popped up for an out. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) and Saban lined out to end the game.

Game Two

Saint Francis shrugged off the morning's result and defeated Georgia Southern in a six inning mercy rule win. The Red Flash were led by Hayley Norton's (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) three RBI performance and Christina Clark's (Avon, Ohio/Avon High School) excellent collegiate debut.

In six innings, Clark scattered six hits, yielded one earned run, and struck out four Eagles. Most importantly, the freshman hurler displayed composure beyond her years as she escaped several jams which changed the complexion of the game. Multiple times, she left a group of Eagles stranded on the base paths.  

The Red Flash quickly stunned Georgia Southern in the first inning with some assistance by the home team. MeKenzie Saban (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) reached on a fielding error by shortshop. Mikayla Bower (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) singled through the left side. Norton ripped a triple down the right field line to score both of the infielders. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) hit a sacrifice fly to bring Norton home.

With a 3-0 lead, Clark entered the circle. Her first batter went down on strikes. The next hitter singled, stole second, and was driven in on a double. Clark settled down by forcing Farrell to ground out and Mullis to fly out.

The Red Flash went three and out in the second inning while Georgia Southern left three ducks on the pond. Clark yielded two walks and Harrell reached safety on a complex fielder's choice. The bases were loaded with two outs and the partisan crowd was hollering for a big hit. Clark battled back from a 3-0 count to induce a sky-high pop out. The threat vaporized into nothingness.

Saint Francis added an insurance run in the third inning. Continuing her impressive tournament, Saban slashed a sharp single and advanced to second on Bower's ground ball. Next came a rare play. Norton struck out swinging but it proved to be a hidden blessing. The pitch escaped from the catcher, Norton hustled safety to first, and the catcher in her panic to obtain left home plate open. Saban and Coach Jessica O'Donnell (stationed at third) noticed the unguarded treasure and went for broke. Saban swept across the plate and grabbed the Golden Fleece. The aggressive play reminiscent of Billy Martin stunned the crowd and gave the Red Flash a 4-1 advantage.

The Eagles placed runners at first and second in the bottom of the third. Clark ensured that the payback was nonexistent as Coleman fouled out and Booth lined out to center.

The top of the fourth inning saw two quick SFU outs. Halle Marion (Middletown, Pa./Middletown) reversed the trend with a slap triple down the right field line and she scored when the shortstop threw the ball away. Georgia Southern attempted to answer but Shirely's double was for naught.

The Red Flash did not score in the fifth inning but even if Saint Francis scored a run the news of the hour revolved around the lights dimming. A ten minute delay ensured. The unintentional timeout appeared to throw Clark off her rhythm. A single, double, and walk loaded the bases with one out. Clark's response? She dominated the two next batters by striking them out and destroying any chance of a rally.

Any GS hope was extinguished with the five run sixth inning. Brianna Walker (Walworth, N.Y./Gananda) singled, Bezjak singled to keep her 1.000 batting average intact, and Marion singled to load the bases. Saban using a careful eye drew a walk to bring in a run. Mazur was replaced by Romas. Bower reached on a fielder's error to score a run. Norton singled to drive in another run. Sierra McKee (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) reached on a fielder's choice to plate another tally. Jordan Frank (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) offered another a fielder's choice to cement the score at 10-1.

Georgia Southern entered the sixth inning needing two runs to prevent a shortened game. The lights again went out in Georgia but this ten minute delay proved meaningless. Clark was not rattled and she recorded a 1-2-3 inning to cinch the game and the game ball.

Up Next

Saint Francis finishes up the Bash in the Boro tomorrow morning at 9 am against Winthrop.